Two submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactors (SAMBRs) with essentially 100% cell recycle (150 days retention time, SRT), one with powdered activated carbon addition (PAC 1.7 g L-1) and one without, were continuously fed a low-strength feed (450 mg COD L-1) in order to investigate membrane fouling and to characterize the foulants. The SAMBR which did not receive PAC experienced more fouling, and the molecular weight (MW) distribution showed that there was a greater amount of high-MW compounds in this reactor when compared with the reactor with PAC. Size exclusion chromatography showed that although extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) seemed to contribute to the soluble chemical oxygen demand (COD) inside the reactor, it was mainly rejected by the membrane. High-MW protein and carbohydrate material originating mainly from cell lysis and EPS seemed to be the main organics that contributed to the internal fouling of the membrane. (c) 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
