Integrated model of sequential anaerobic and algal membrane bioreactor (A2MBR) system for wastewater reuse and resource recovery

We developed a novel integrated model for describing the A²MBR system, treating municipal wastewater for resource recovery. The model couples an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) with an algal photo membrane bioreactor (APMBR). The AnMBR details organic matter fractionation and its effect on SMP and EPS, while the APMBR incorporates alga-bacteria interaction, light, temperature, and membrane separation effects. While showing good agreement between simulated and measured values, results suggest that higher sludge retention time (SRT) drives COD removal, promoting biogas production in the AnMBR (2.5–3 days HRT and 60–90 days SRT not to exceed a 25 g MLSS/l). For the APMBR, shorter HRTs and longer SRTs promote microalgae growth, and longer HRTs enhance nutrient removal (maximum nutrient removal at 3 days HRT and 10 days SRT). Long-term operational data are needed to validate the proposed model. This modeling tool is valuable for modelers describing anaerobic/algal membrane processes for multi-purpose wastewater treatment.