Comparative study of biofilm in GDMF and PGDMF systems
department or school: Applied Science, Faculty of
department or school: Civil Engineering, Department of
data provider: DSpace
degree campus: UBCV
creator: Kumaran, Varshaa
issued: 2024-01-19T18:27:18Z
issued: 2024
related degree: Master of Applied Science - MASc
degree grantor: University of British Columbia
description: Gravity-driven membrane filtration (GDMF) is a process in which hydrostatic pressure (gravity) serves as the driving force to maintain water flow through the membrane. Limited fouling control measures are applied, resulting in the formation of a biofilm layer on the membrane surface. This porous layer hosts a stable microbial community, crucial for sustaining water output. GDMF systems are simple to operate and cost-effective, making them well-suited for small-scale applications. Typically, the biofilm layer in GDMF systems enhances the removal of various contaminants, including organics and viruses. At the same time, the presence of the biofilm layer increases the resistance of to water flow, decreasing overall throughput. To increase the overall throughput, passive (gravity-driven) fouling controls, such as air scouring, and tank drain can be applied to GDMF systems. However, limited knowledge exists on the efficacy of these techniques. This present study addresses critical knowledge gaps in the literature regarding the effects of the passive fouling controls in gravity-driven membrane filtration systems; referred to as passive gravity-driven membrane filtration (PGDMF). The results of the study demonstrate that passive fouling controls significantly contribute to increased overall throughput. The study also concludes that passive fouling controls did not impact the chemical and biological properties of the biofilm layer developed on the membrane surface. The study also concludes that, after it is established at 1-2 weeks, the microbial community present on the biofilm layer is not similar to the microbial community present in the feed or reject of the PGDMF system.
aggregated CHO: https://circle.library.ubc.ca/rest/handle/2429/87324
note: Comparative study of biofilm in GDMF and PGDMF systems by Varshaa Kumaran B.Tech., National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, 2020 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science in The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (Civil Engineering) The University of British Columbia (Vancouver) January 2024 © Varshaa Kumaran, 2024 ii The following individuals certify that they have read, and recommend to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for acceptance, the thesis entitled: Comparative study of biofilm in GDMF and PGDMF systems submitted by Varshaa Kumaran in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science in Civil Engineering Examining Committee: Dr. Pierre R. Bérubé, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, UBC Supervisor Dr. Sara Beck, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, UBC Supervisory Committee Member iii Abstract Gravity-driven membrane filtration (GDMF) is a process in which hydrostatic pressure (gravity) serves as the driving force to maintain water flow through the membrane. Limited fouling control measures are applied, resulting in the formation of a biofilm layer on the membrane surface. This porous layer hosts a stable microbial community, crucial for sustaining water output. GDMF systems are simple to operate and cost-effective, making them well-suited for small-scale applications. Typically, the biofilm layer in GDMF systems enhances the removal of various contaminants, including organics and viruses. At the same time, the presence of the biofilm layer increases the resistance of to water flow, decreasing overall throughput. To increase the overall throughput, passive (gravity-driven) fouling controls, such as air scouring, and tank drain can be applied to GDMF systems. However, limited knowledge exists on the efficacy of these techniques. This present study addresses critical knowledge gaps in the literature regar…
has type: Thesis/Dissertation
date issued: 2024-05
is shown at: 10.14288/1.0438755
language: eng
degree discipline: Civil Engineering
provider: Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
publisher: University of British Columbia
rights: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
rights URI: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
scholar level: Graduate
contributor: Bérubé, Pierre R.
type: Text
identifier URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/87324