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Dr. Dimitra Banti
Laboratory of Technologies of Environmental Protection and Utilization of Food By-Products, Department of Food Science and Technology, International Hellenic University, GR-57400 Thessaloniki, Greece

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Research Keywords & Expertise

0 Wastewater Treatment
0 Membrane Bioreactors
0 Extracellular polymeric substances
0 Membrane processes
0 Membrane fouling mitigation

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Membrane Bioreactors
Soluble microbial products
Wastewater Treatment
Extracellular polymeric substances

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Journal article
Published: 22 July 2021 in Membranes
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A promising solution for membrane fouling reduction in membrane bioreactors (MBRs) could be the adjustment of operating parameters of the MBR, such as hydraulic retention time (HRT), food/microorganisms (F/M) loading and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, aiming to modify the sludge morphology to the direction of improvement of the membrane filtration. In this work, these parameters were investigated in a step-aerating pilot MBR that treated municipal wastewater, in order to control the filamentous population. When F/M loading in the first aeration tank (AT1) was ≤0.65 ± 0.2 g COD/g MLSS/d at 20 ± 3 °C, DO = 2.5 ± 0.1 mg/L and HRT = 1.6 h, the filamentous bacteria were controlled effectively at a moderate filament index of 1.5–3. The moderate population of filamentous bacteria improved the membrane performance, leading to low transmembrane pressure (TMP) at values ≤ 2 kPa for a great period, while at the control MBR the TMP gradually increased reaching 14 kPa. Soluble microbial products (SMP), were also maintained at low concentrations, contributing additionally to the reduction of ΤΜP. Finally, the step-aerating MBR process and the selected imposed operating conditions of HRT, F/M and DO improved the MBR performance in terms of fouling control, facilitating its future wider application.

ACS Style

Dimitra Banti; Manassis Mitrakas; Petros Samaras. Membrane Fouling Controlled by Adjustment of Biological Treatment Parameters in Step-Aerating MBR. Membranes 2021, 11, 553 .

AMA Style

Dimitra Banti, Manassis Mitrakas, Petros Samaras. Membrane Fouling Controlled by Adjustment of Biological Treatment Parameters in Step-Aerating MBR. Membranes. 2021; 11 (8):553.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Dimitra Banti; Manassis Mitrakas; Petros Samaras. 2021. "Membrane Fouling Controlled by Adjustment of Biological Treatment Parameters in Step-Aerating MBR." Membranes 11, no. 8: 553.

Journal article
Published: 29 June 2021 in Membranes
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This is the first study that examines the effect of operating conditions on fouling of Membrane Bio-Reactors (MBRs), which treat municipal wastewater in field conditions, with specific regard to the controlled development of filamentous microorganisms (or filaments). The novelty of the present work is extended to minimize the dissolved oxygen (DO) in recirculated activated sludge for improving the process of denitrification. For this purpose, two pilot-scale MBRs were constructed and operated in parallel: (i) Filament-MBR, where an attempt was made to regulate the growth of filaments by adjustment of DO, the Food-to-Microorganisms (F/M) ratio and temperature, and (ii) Control-MBR, where a gentle stirring tank was employed for the purpose of zeroing the DO in the recycled sludge. Results showed that low temperature (<15 °C) slightly increased the number of filaments in the Filament-MBR which, in turn, decreased the Trans-Membrane Pressure (TMP). As the Soluble Microbial Products (SMP) and the colloids are considered to be the basic foulants of membranes in MBR systems, specific attention was directed to keep their concentration at low values in the mixed liquor. The low F/M ratio in the aeration tanks which preceded the membrane tank was achieved to keep the SMP proteins and carbohydrates at very low values in the mixed liquor, i.e., less than 6 mg/L. Moreover, as a result of the low recirculation rate (2.6∙Qin), good aggregation of the produced excess sludge was achieved, and low concentration of colloids with a size ≤50 nm (nearly the membranes’ pore size used for filtration/separation) was measured, accounted for maximum 15% of the total colloids. Additionally, the increase in filamentous population at the Filament-MBR contributed to the further reduction of colloids in the mixed liquor at 7.9%, contributing beneficially to the reduction of TMP and of membrane fouling. The diminishing of DO in the recirculated sludge improved denitrification, and resulted in lower concentrations of Ν-NO3 and TN in the effluent of the Control-MBR. Furthermore, the recirculation rate of Qr = 2.6∙Qin, in comparison with Qr = 4.3∙Qin, resulted in improved performance regarding the removal of N-NH4+. Finally, high organics removal and ammonium nitrification was observed in the effluent of both pilots, since COD and Ν-ΝH4+ concentrations were generally in the range of 10–25 mg/L and <0.1 mg/L, respectively.

ACS Style

Petros Gkotsis; Dimitra Banti; Anastasia Pritsa; Manassis Mitrakas; Petros Samaras; Efrosini Peleka; Anastasios Zouboulis. Effect of Operating Conditions on Membrane Fouling in Pilot-Scale MBRs: Filaments Growth, Diminishing Dissolved Oxygen and Recirculation Rate of the Activated Sludge. Membranes 2021, 11, 490 .

AMA Style

Petros Gkotsis, Dimitra Banti, Anastasia Pritsa, Manassis Mitrakas, Petros Samaras, Efrosini Peleka, Anastasios Zouboulis. Effect of Operating Conditions on Membrane Fouling in Pilot-Scale MBRs: Filaments Growth, Diminishing Dissolved Oxygen and Recirculation Rate of the Activated Sludge. Membranes. 2021; 11 (7):490.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Petros Gkotsis; Dimitra Banti; Anastasia Pritsa; Manassis Mitrakas; Petros Samaras; Efrosini Peleka; Anastasios Zouboulis. 2021. "Effect of Operating Conditions on Membrane Fouling in Pilot-Scale MBRs: Filaments Growth, Diminishing Dissolved Oxygen and Recirculation Rate of the Activated Sludge." Membranes 11, no. 7: 490.

Journal article
Published: 14 December 2020 in Membranes
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Membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems are connected to several advantages compared to the conventional activated sludge (CAS) units. This work aims to the examination of the life cycle environmental impact of an MBR against a CAS unit when treating municipal wastewater with similar influent loading (BOD = 400 mg/L) and giving similar high-quality effluent (BOD < 5 mg/L). The MBR unit contained a denitrification, an aeration and a membrane tank, whereas the CAS unit included an equalization, a denitrification, a nitrification, a sedimentation, a mixing, a flocculation tank and a drum filter. Several impact categories factors were calculated by implementing the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, including acidification potential, eutrophication potential, global warming potential (GWP), ozone depletion potential and photochemical ozone creation potential of the plants throughout their life cycle. Real data from two wastewater treatment plants were used. The research focused on two parameters which constitute the main differences between the two treatment plants: The excess sludge removal life cycle contribution—where GWPMBR = 0.50 kg CO2-eq*FU−1 and GWPCAS = 2.67 kg CO2-eq*FU−1 without sludge removal—and the wastewater treatment plant life cycle contribution—where GWPMBR = 0.002 kg CO2-eq*FU−1 and GWPCAS = 0.14 kg CO2-eq*FU−1 without land area contribution. Finally, in all the examined cases the environmental superiority of the MBR process was found.

ACS Style

Dimitra C. Banti; Michail Tsangas; Petros Samaras; Antonis Zorpas. LCA of a Membrane Bioreactor Compared to Activated Sludge System for Municipal Wastewater Treatment. Membranes 2020, 10, 421 .

AMA Style

Dimitra C. Banti, Michail Tsangas, Petros Samaras, Antonis Zorpas. LCA of a Membrane Bioreactor Compared to Activated Sludge System for Municipal Wastewater Treatment. Membranes. 2020; 10 (12):421.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Dimitra C. Banti; Michail Tsangas; Petros Samaras; Antonis Zorpas. 2020. "LCA of a Membrane Bioreactor Compared to Activated Sludge System for Municipal Wastewater Treatment." Membranes 10, no. 12: 421.

Journal article
Published: 06 June 2020 in Membranes
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Membrane fouling investigations in membrane bioreactors (MBRs) are a top research issue. The aim of this work is to study the combined effect of colloids and soluble microbial products (SMPs) on membrane fouling. Two lab-pilot MBRs were investigated for treating two types of wastewater (wwt), synthetic and domestic. Transmembrane pressure (TMP), SMP, particle size distribution and treatment efficiency were evaluated. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal and nitrification were successful for both kinds of sewage reaching up to 95–97% and 100%, respectively. Domestic wwt presented 5.5 times more SMP proteins and 11 times more SMP carbohydrates compared to the synthetic one. In contrast, synthetic wwt had around 20% more colloids in the mixed liquor with a size lower than membrane pore size (

ACS Style

Dimitra Banti; Manassis Mitrakas; Georgios Fytianos; Alexandra Tsali; Petros Samaras. Combined Effect of Colloids and SMP on Membrane Fouling in MBRs. Membranes 2020, 10, 118 .

AMA Style

Dimitra Banti, Manassis Mitrakas, Georgios Fytianos, Alexandra Tsali, Petros Samaras. Combined Effect of Colloids and SMP on Membrane Fouling in MBRs. Membranes. 2020; 10 (6):118.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Dimitra Banti; Manassis Mitrakas; Georgios Fytianos; Alexandra Tsali; Petros Samaras. 2020. "Combined Effect of Colloids and SMP on Membrane Fouling in MBRs." Membranes 10, no. 6: 118.

Journal article
Published: 26 March 2020 in Sustainability
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This paper is intended to review the current practices and challenges regarding the corrosion of the Greek sewer systems with an emphasis on biocorrosion and to provide recommendations to avoid it. The authors followed a holistic approach, which included survey data obtained by local authorities serving more than 50% of the total country’s population and validated the survey answers with field measurements and analyses. The exact nature and extent of concrete biocorrosion problems in Greece are presented for the first time. Moreover, the overall condition of the sewer network, the maintenance frequency, and the corrosion prevention techniques used in Greece are also presented. Results from field measurements showed the existence of H2S in the gaseous phase (i.e., precursor of the H2SO4 formation in the sewer) and acidithiobacillus bacteria (i.e., biocorrosion causative agent) in the slime, which exists at the interlayer between the concrete wall and the sewage. Biocorrosion seems to mainly affect old concrete networks, and the replacement of the destroyed concrete pipes with new polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ones is currently common practice. However, in most cases, the replacement cost is high, and the authors provide some recommendations to increase the current service life of concrete pipes.

ACS Style

Georgios Fytianos; Vasilis Baltikas; Dimitrios Loukovitis; Dimitra Banti; Athanasios Sfikas; Efthimios Papastergiadis; Petros Samaras. Biocorrosion of Concrete Sewers in Greece: Current Practices and Challenges. Sustainability 2020, 12, 2638 .

AMA Style

Georgios Fytianos, Vasilis Baltikas, Dimitrios Loukovitis, Dimitra Banti, Athanasios Sfikas, Efthimios Papastergiadis, Petros Samaras. Biocorrosion of Concrete Sewers in Greece: Current Practices and Challenges. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (7):2638.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Georgios Fytianos; Vasilis Baltikas; Dimitrios Loukovitis; Dimitra Banti; Athanasios Sfikas; Efthimios Papastergiadis; Petros Samaras. 2020. "Biocorrosion of Concrete Sewers in Greece: Current Practices and Challenges." Sustainability 12, no. 7: 2638.

Proceedings
Published: 01 January 2020 in Environmental Sciences Proceedings
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Membrane fouling still remains a drawback for membrane bioreactors; there is nevertheless a natural promising solution which is the growth of filamentous microorganisms in moderate concentrations. In this project, an innovative 25 L membrane bioreactor is used, consisting of two aerated tanks and a membrane tank. The first tank is supplied with high Food/Microorganism (F/M) loading and the second tank with very low loading. The aerated tanks were constantly provided with dissolved oxygen (DO) 2.5 ± 0.5 mg/L. Finally, it is concluded that the imposed aeration conditions contribute to the growth and control of filaments in moderate concentrations having a filamentous index = 2 and therefore reducing membrane fouling for more than 1.5 months, maintaining the trans-membrane pressure at 1.4 ± 0.11 kPa.

ACS Style

Dimitra C. Banti; Alexandra Tsali; ManasiS Mitrakas; Petros Samaras. The Dissolved Oxygen Effect on the Controlled Growth of Filamentous Microorganisms in Membrane Bioreactors. Environmental Sciences Proceedings 2020, 2, 39 .

AMA Style

Dimitra C. Banti, Alexandra Tsali, ManasiS Mitrakas, Petros Samaras. The Dissolved Oxygen Effect on the Controlled Growth of Filamentous Microorganisms in Membrane Bioreactors. Environmental Sciences Proceedings. 2020; 2 (1):39.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Dimitra C. Banti; Alexandra Tsali; ManasiS Mitrakas; Petros Samaras. 2020. "The Dissolved Oxygen Effect on the Controlled Growth of Filamentous Microorganisms in Membrane Bioreactors." Environmental Sciences Proceedings 2, no. 1: 39.

Journal article
Published: 01 October 2018 in Water Research
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Membrane biofouling, due to Soluble Microbial Products (SMP) and Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) deposition, results in reduction of the performance of Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs). However, recently, a new method of biofouling control has been developed, utilizing the interference of the bacterial inter- and intra-species’ communication. Bacteria use Quorum Sensing (QS) to regulate the production of SMP and EPS. Therefore, disruption of Quorum Sensing (Quorum Quenching: QQ), by enzymes or microorganisms, may be a simple mean to control membrane biofouling. In the present study, a novel QQ-bacterium, namely Lactobacillus sp. SBR04MA, was isolated from municipal wastewater sludge and its ability to mitigate biofouling was evaluated by monitoring the changes in critical flux and transmembrane pressure, along with the production of EPS and SMP, in a lab-scale MBR system treating synthetic wastewater. Lactobacillus sp. SBR04MA showed great potential for biofouling control, which was evidenced by the ∼3-fold increase in critical flux (8.3 → 24.25 L/m2/h), as well as by reduction of the SMP and EPS production, which was lower during the QQ-period when compared against the control period. Furthermore, the addition of the QQ-strain did not affect the COD removal rate. Results suggested that Lactobacillus sp. SBR04MA represents a novel and promising strain for biofouling mitigation and enhancement of MBRs performance.

ACS Style

Ioannis D. Kampouris; Panayotis D. Karayannakidis; Dimitra C. Banti; Dimitra Sakoula; Dimitris Konstantinidis; Minas Yiangou; Petros E. Samaras. Evaluation of a novel quorum quenching strain for MBR biofouling mitigation. Water Research 2018, 143, 56 -65.

AMA Style

Ioannis D. Kampouris, Panayotis D. Karayannakidis, Dimitra C. Banti, Dimitra Sakoula, Dimitris Konstantinidis, Minas Yiangou, Petros E. Samaras. Evaluation of a novel quorum quenching strain for MBR biofouling mitigation. Water Research. 2018; 143 ():56-65.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ioannis D. Kampouris; Panayotis D. Karayannakidis; Dimitra C. Banti; Dimitra Sakoula; Dimitris Konstantinidis; Minas Yiangou; Petros E. Samaras. 2018. "Evaluation of a novel quorum quenching strain for MBR biofouling mitigation." Water Research 143, no. : 56-65.

Journal article
Published: 01 August 2018 in Separation and Purification Technology
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ACS Style

Dimitra Banti; Petros Samaras; Costas Tsioptsias; Anastasios Zouboulis; Manassis Mitrakas. Mechanism of SMP aggregation within the pores of hydrophilic and hydrophobic MBR membranes and aggregates detachment. Separation and Purification Technology 2018, 202, 119 -129.

AMA Style

Dimitra Banti, Petros Samaras, Costas Tsioptsias, Anastasios Zouboulis, Manassis Mitrakas. Mechanism of SMP aggregation within the pores of hydrophilic and hydrophobic MBR membranes and aggregates detachment. Separation and Purification Technology. 2018; 202 ():119-129.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Dimitra Banti; Petros Samaras; Costas Tsioptsias; Anastasios Zouboulis; Manassis Mitrakas. 2018. "Mechanism of SMP aggregation within the pores of hydrophilic and hydrophobic MBR membranes and aggregates detachment." Separation and Purification Technology 202, no. : 119-129.

Journal article
Published: 01 November 2017 in Journal of Membrane Science
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ACS Style

Dimitra Banti; Panayotis D. Karayannakidis; Petros Samaras; Manassis G. Mitrakas. An innovative bioreactor set-up that reduces membrane fouling by adjusting the filamentous bacterial population. Journal of Membrane Science 2017, 542, 430 -438.

AMA Style

Dimitra Banti, Panayotis D. Karayannakidis, Petros Samaras, Manassis G. Mitrakas. An innovative bioreactor set-up that reduces membrane fouling by adjusting the filamentous bacterial population. Journal of Membrane Science. 2017; 542 ():430-438.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Dimitra Banti; Panayotis D. Karayannakidis; Petros Samaras; Manassis G. Mitrakas. 2017. "An innovative bioreactor set-up that reduces membrane fouling by adjusting the filamentous bacterial population." Journal of Membrane Science 542, no. : 430-438.

Journal article
Published: 11 February 2015 in Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology
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The aim of this work was the examination of molasses wastewater treatment by the combination of activated sludge with ozonation, for the effective removal of refractories. In addition to biological treatment, samples were subjected to: a) ozonation prior to activated sludge; b) ozonation coupled by addition of hydrogen peroxide prior to activated sludge; c) post‐ozonation of activated sludge effluents; and d) ozonation applied to influents and effluents, as a pre‐ and post‐treatment of biological process. The activated sludge treatment of the mixture resulted to a 48% reduction of COD, while the combination of ozone pretreatment followed by biological treatment resulted in 66.5% COD removal and the production of an effluent with 240 mg/L COD. Therefore, it was concluded that ozone pretreatment might contribute to the enhancement of the biodegradability of the influent. This assumption was further supported by the examination of molecular weight distribution of wastewater samples by size exclusion chromatography. The combined biological and ozone processes resulted in effluents with similar COD values, independent of the stage of the application of the ozone treatment process, either as a pre—treatment or as post treatment step, indicating that a fraction of the compounds of the raw influent was resistant to the particular treatment process. This recalcitrant residual exhibited high organic nitrogen content, and was responsible for the relatively moderate total nitrogen content reduction, although almost complete nitrification and denitrification took place during the biological process, as deduced by the ammonia and nitrates content of the effluents.

ACS Style

Costas Tsioptsias; Dimitra Banti; Petros Samaras. Experimental study of degradation of molasses wastewater by biological treatment combined with ozonation. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology 2015, 91, 857 -864.

AMA Style

Costas Tsioptsias, Dimitra Banti, Petros Samaras. Experimental study of degradation of molasses wastewater by biological treatment combined with ozonation. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology. 2015; 91 (4):857-864.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Costas Tsioptsias; Dimitra Banti; Petros Samaras. 2015. "Experimental study of degradation of molasses wastewater by biological treatment combined with ozonation." Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology 91, no. 4: 857-864.

Review
Published: 20 October 2014 in Processes
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Membrane fouling is one of the most important considerations in the design and operation of membrane systems as it affects pretreatment needs, cleaning requirements, operating conditions, cost and performance. Given that membrane fouling represents the main limitation to membrane process operation, it is unsurprising that the majority of membrane material and process research and development conducted is dedicated to its characterization and amelioration. This work presents the fundamentals of fouling issues in membrane separations, with specific regard to membrane fouling in Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs) and the most frequently applied preventive-control strategies. Feed pretreatment, physical and chemical cleaning protocols, optimal operation of MBR process and membrane surface modification are presented and discussed in detail. Membrane fouling is the major obstacle to the widespread application of the MBR technology and, therefore, fouling preventive-control strategies is a hot issue that strongly concerns not only the scientific community, but industry as well.

ACS Style

Petros K. Gkotsis; Dimitra Ch. Banti; Efrosini N. Peleka; Anastasios I. Zouboulis; Petros E. Samaras. Fouling Issues in Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs) for Wastewater Treatment: Major Mechanisms, Prevention and Control Strategies. Processes 2014, 2, 795 -866.

AMA Style

Petros K. Gkotsis, Dimitra Ch. Banti, Efrosini N. Peleka, Anastasios I. Zouboulis, Petros E. Samaras. Fouling Issues in Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs) for Wastewater Treatment: Major Mechanisms, Prevention and Control Strategies. Processes. 2014; 2 (4):795-866.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Petros K. Gkotsis; Dimitra Ch. Banti; Efrosini N. Peleka; Anastasios I. Zouboulis; Petros E. Samaras. 2014. "Fouling Issues in Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs) for Wastewater Treatment: Major Mechanisms, Prevention and Control Strategies." Processes 2, no. 4: 795-866.

Journal article
Published: 01 June 2011 in Science of The Total Environment
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The objective of this work was to investigate the potential transfer of 9 heavy metals from spent household batteries (zinc–carbon and alkaline–manganese batteries) to the organic fraction of municipal solid wastes during active composting. Six runs were performed including one control and 2 replications. Eleven types of alkaline and non-alkaline batteries were added at 3 different levels to the organic fraction of municipal solid wastes, namely at percentages equal to 0.98% w/w (low), 5.2% w/w (medium) and 10.6% w/w (high). Experiments were performed in 230 l insulated plastic aerobic bioreactors under a dynamic air flow regime for up to 60 days. Iron, copper and nickel masses contained in the organic fraction of the wastes were found significantly higher in the high level runs compared to the corresponding masses in the control. No metal transfer was obtained in the low and medium level runs. Metal mass balance closures ranged from 51% to 176%. Metals' concentrations in the leachates were below 10 mg l−1 for most metals, except iron, while an increasing concentration trend versus time was measured in the leachates of the high level runs. In all cases, the contents of 5 regulated heavy metals in all end products were below the Hellenic limits.

ACS Style

Dimitrios Komilis; Dimitra Banti; Georgios Kakaronis; Georgios Zouppouris. The influence of spent household batteries to the organic fraction of municipal solid wastes during composting. Science of The Total Environment 2011, 409, 2555 -2566.

AMA Style

Dimitrios Komilis, Dimitra Banti, Georgios Kakaronis, Georgios Zouppouris. The influence of spent household batteries to the organic fraction of municipal solid wastes during composting. Science of The Total Environment. 2011; 409 (13):2555-2566.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Dimitrios Komilis; Dimitra Banti; Georgios Kakaronis; Georgios Zouppouris. 2011. "The influence of spent household batteries to the organic fraction of municipal solid wastes during composting." Science of The Total Environment 409, no. 13: 2555-2566.