Reactores híbridos con membranas para el tratamiento de aguas residuales urbanasaplicaciones para la eliminación de carbono y nitrógeno

Resum

In this doctoral thesis the use of membrane bioreactors (MBR) is studied in a new hybrid configuration (HMBR), where the biodegradation is carried out by both suspended and attached biomasses. Two applications were investigated. In the first proposed configuration the treating of real urban wastewater using a HMBR at bench and pilot-scale was evaluated, reaching an effluent quality suitable for reuse. The treated water, as well as the generated sludge and the membrane fouling showed better characteristics than a conventional MBR, which was operated in parallel. In the second configuration a HMBR system was applied for the post-treatment of methanogenic bioreactors. The feasibility of using the dissolved methane present in these effluents as a carbon source for denitrification was proved, reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and nitrogen content of these effluents.