F Sadeghi - School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
M.H Sarrafzade - School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
R Nabizadeh - School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
H Azami - School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Biological treatment of synthetic wastewater was investigated using a submerged membrane bioreactor (sMBR). A laboratory-scale experiment was performed to treat the synthetic wastewater composed of acetate and phosphate ions. The objective of this work was to investigate the organic matter and nutrient removal efficiency in the sMBR. The working volume of the bioreactor was 1.5L with a fully immerged flat-sheet MF membrane. During the operation, the aeration rate was almost constant at 0.1 m3/h and mixed liquor suspended solid was 4000 mg/L. The results showed that the phosphorus removal efficiency of the sMBR was up to 70%. Also, a high performance efficiency of COD removal up to 90% was obtained. The revenue comparison of sMBR with other reported similar experimental works showed an approximate 15% increase in COD removal efficiency.

submerged membrane bioreactor, COD removal, Phosphorus removal, Aeration ,Wastewater, Mixed liquor suspended solid