UCT-MBR vs IFAS-UCT-MBR for wastewater treatment: A comprehensive comparison including N2O emission

Abstract

In this study the performance (in terms of carbon and nutrient removal) and N2O emission of two plant configurations adopting innovative technologies were investigated. With this regards, an University Cape Town (UCT) membrane bioreactor (MBR) plant and an Integrated Fixed Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) -UCT-MBR plant were monitored. Both plants treat real wastewater under two different values of the influent carbon nitrogen ratio (C/N = 5 mgCOD/mgN and C/N = 10 mgCOD/mgN). Results have shown the highest carbon and nutrients removal efficiencies for the IFAS-UCT-MBR configuration during both the two investigated C/N values. Furthermore, the lowest N2O emission occurred for the IFAS-UCT-MBR.