HIGH-CONCENTRATION FOOD WASTEWATER TREATMENT BY AN ANAEROBIC MEMBRANE BIOREACTOR

4 Ultrafiltration membranes with different molecular weight cut-offs are employed in an anaerobic process with a cross-flow membrane separation unit for the treatment of food processing wastewater containing a high concentration of starch and fat. Results: solids retention time, volumetric organic load, pH, temperature, performance of the anaerobic membrane bioreactor in terms of permeate flux decline, removal of organic matter and suspended solids, colour, bacteria, membrane fouling and cleaning, membrane autopsy.