A filtration model applied to submerged anaerobic MBRs (SAnMBRs)

The aim of this study was to develop a model able to correctly reproduce the filtration process of submerged anaerobic MBRs (SAnMBRs). The proposed model was calibrated and validated in a SAnMBR demonstration plant fitted with industrial-scale hollow-fibre membranes. Three suspended components were contemplated in the model: total solids concentration; dry mass of cake on the membrane surface; and dry mass of irreversible fouling on the membrane surface. The model addressed the following physical processes: the build-up and compression of the cake layer during filtration; cake layer removal using biogas sparging to scour the membrane; cake layer removal during back-flushing; and the consolidation of irreversible fouling. The short- and long-term validation of the model resulted in correlation coefficients (R2) of 0.962 and 0.929, respectively. [Display omitted] •A model for filtration in SAnMBRs has been developed.•This model (based on the resistance-in-series model) can easily be used with any biological model.•The model was calibrated and validated using industrial-scale hollow-fibre membranes.•Short- and long-term validation resulted in R2 of 0.962 and 0.929, respectively.