# Moving Rubber Blade (MRB) for Fouling Control in Anaerobic Ceramic Membrane Bioreactors (AnCMBRs) Treating High-Strength Food Wastewater: Development and Long-Term Application

## TL;DR

This study develops a long-term fouling control strategy using a moving rubber blade and salt-assisted backwash in anaerobic ceramic membrane bioreactors for treating high-strength food wastewater.

## Contribution

A hybrid mechanical and chemical fouling control strategy is introduced for sustainable anaerobic membrane bioreactor operation.

## Key findings

- MRB alone maintained stable transmembrane pressure below 0.15 kgf/cm² for over 300 days without backwashing.
- Intermittent SAB improved total phosphorus removal by promoting struvite formation.
- The system achieved over 90% COD removal at a short hydraulic retention time of 1–2 days.

## Abstract

This study investigates membrane fouling control in a submerged anaerobic ceramic membrane bioreactor (AnCMBR) treating high-strength food wastewater (chemical oxygen demand (COD): 10–30 g/L). A hybrid strategy combining mechanical cleaning via a moving rubber blade (MRB) (termed anaerobic ceramic blade MBR (AnCBMBR)) with intermittent salt-assisted backwash (SAB) was tested to manage transmembrane pressure (TMP) and sustain treatment performance. During more than 300 days of field operation, MRB alone maintained stable TMP below 0.15 kgf/cm2 without backwashing, achieving more than 90% COD removal at a very short hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 1–2 days. Introducing intermittent SAB further stabilized operations and enhanced total phosphorus (T-P) removal by facilitating struvite formation through the interaction of MgCl2 and phosphorus in the reactor. The AnCBMBR system demonstrated reliable, long-term fouling control and treatment efficiency, even under high organic loads, proving its viability for small-scale facilities managing concentrated food wastewater. This study advances practical strategies for sustainable anaerobic MBR operation under challenging industrial conditions.