Mahsa Keyvan Hosseini - Department of Chemical Engineering, Science and Research branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Farshid Pajoum Shariati - Department of Chemical Engineering, Science and Research branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Babak Bonakdarpour - Department of Chemical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
Amir Heydarinasab - Department of Chemical Engineering, Science and Research branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Membrane photo bioreactor (MPBR) is the cutting-edge technology with which cultivation, separation of microalgae and wastewater treatment could be readily accessible. Producing a high quality effluent, having a small footprint, providing a better bio treatment are merits of this technology. On the other hand, membrane fouling is one of the major drawbacks to the extent that many strides have been orchestrated to reduce this phenomenon, like mechanical cleaning and chemical cleaning. In this study the effect of polymeric granules with particle diameter (dP= 5 mm) as mechanical cleaning technology on membrane fouling in an algal submerged membrane photo bioreactor (ASMPBR) under varied loading rates such as 0%, 0.5% and 1% has been tested. For this purpose, the analysis of transmembrane pressure (TMP) and various filtration resistances including fluid resistance and cake layer formation have been accomplished. The results represented (Rc) and the increasing rate of TMP become less with the addition of granular particles due to their scouring effect on membrane surface.

membrane fouling, microalgae, membrane photo bioreactor, mechanical cleaning, granular particles