Publication: Process Performance and Nutrient Removal in Fish Processing Wastewater Using a Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Unit for Reuse for Irrigation
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2024-10
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NRF
Publisher
Global Research in Environment and Sustainability
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Abstract
This study investigated the removal of nitrogen and phosphates in fish processing
wastewater through process optimization of a membrane bioreactor (MBR) treatment
unit. Raw process wastewater was collected from the Makindi fish farm and was pre
filtered through a mesh of 0.8 mm. The experiment was conducted at a lab scale using
commercial Polyethersulfone (PES) membranes submerged in the MBR unit. The pre
filtered wastewater sample was added into a denitrification (anoxic) tank. The process
was conducted through continuous recirculation between the aeration and the anoxic
tank to enhance the removal of nitrogenous compounds. The recirculation flow rate
was 10L/h. A hydraulic residence time (HRT) of approximately 22-25h was maintained,
and the aeration rate in the aerobic tank was 100L/min. Aluminum sulphate
AI2(SO4)318H2O was added continually into the anoxic tank and with constant stirring
to enhance the removal of phosphates. A removal rate of 85±2% for NH4+-N, 84±1%
for NO3- -N, and 69±3% for PO43--P was obtained. The nutrient concentration in the
effluent was successfully reduced to an acceptable level with both nitrogenous
compounds and phosphate concentrations obtained within the range of < 30 mg/L and
≤ 5 mg/L as per the WHO guidelines for wastewater reuse for irrigation. The results
showed a successful process optimization that can be applied to ensure optimized
performance of the MBR unit thus improve its effectiveness for the treatment of fish
processing wastewater. The study therefore recommends process optimization as a
tool for effective removal of nutrients in the MBR system thus making it a potential
recycling approach for treatment of fish processing wastewater for reuse for irrigation
purposes.
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Keywords
MBR Technology, Fish Processing, Wastewater, Performance, Nitrogen, Phosphates