Josep Ribes

Publications (60) View all

• Article: Performance of industrial scale hollow-fibre membranes in a submerged anaerobic MBR (HF-SAnMBR) system at mesophilic and psychrophilic conditions

  A. Robles, M.V. Ruano, J. Ribes, J. Ferrer
  Separation and Purification Technology 02/2013; 104:290-296. · 2.92 Impact Factor
• Article: Advanced control system for optimal filtration in submerged anaerobic MBRs (SAnMBRs)

  A Robles, M V Ruano, J Ribes, J Ferrer
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  ABSTRACT: a b s t r a c t The main aim of this study was to develop an advanced controller to optimise filtration in submerged anaerobic MBRs (SAnMBRs). The proposed controller was developed, calibrated and validated in a SAnMBR demonstration plant fitted with industrial-scale hollow-fibre membranes with variable influent flow and load. This 2-layer control system is designed for membranes operating sub-critically and features a lower layer (on/off and PID controllers) and an upper layer (knowledge-based controller). The upper layer consists of a MIMO (multiple-input–multiple-output) control structure that regulates the gas sparging for membrane scouring and the frequency of physical cleaning (ventilation and back flushing). The filtration process is monitored by measuring the fouling rate on-line. This controller demonstrated its ability to keep fouling rates low (close to 0 mbar min À 1) by applying sustainable gas sparging intensities (approx. 0.23 Nm 3 h À 1 m À 2). It also reduced the downtimes needed for ventilation and back-flushing (less than 2% of operating time). & 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
  Journal of Membrane Science 01/2013; · 3.85 Impact Factor
• Article: The submerged anaerobic membrane reactor: a new technology for urban wastewater treatment and availing of resources to the full.

  J. Ribes, A. Robles, J.B. Giménez, F. Durán, L.Carretero, M.V. Ruano, N. Martí, J. Serralta, L. Borrás, F. García-Usach, J. Ferrer, A. Seco
  InfoEnviro. 01/2013;
• Article: The submerged anaerobic membrane reactor: a new technology for urban wastewater treatment and availing of resources to the full.

  J. Ribes, A. Robles, J.B. Giménez, F. Durán, L.Carretero, M.V. Ruano, N. Martí, J. Serralta, L. Borrás, F. García-Usach, J. Ferrer, A. Seco
  InfoEnviro. 01/2013;
• Article: Biological Nutrient Removal Model No. 2 (BNRM2): a general model for wastewater treatment plants.

  R Barat, J Serralta, M V Ruano, E Jiménez, J Ribes, A Seco, J Ferrer
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  ABSTRACT: This paper presents the plant-wide model Biological Nutrient Removal Model No. 2 (BNRM2). Since nitrite was not considered in the BNRM1, and this previous model also failed to accurately simulate the anaerobic digestion because precipitation processes were not considered, an extension of BNRM1 has been developed. This extension comprises all the components and processes required to simulate nitrogen removal via nitrite and the formation of the solids most likely to precipitate in anaerobic digesters. The solids considered in BNRM2 are: struvite, amorphous calcium phosphate, hidroxyapatite, newberite, vivianite, strengite, variscite, and calcium carbonate. With regard to nitrogen removal via nitrite, apart from nitrite oxidizing bacteria two groups of ammonium oxidizing organisms (AOO) have been considered since different sets of kinetic parameters have been reported for the AOO present in activated sludge systems and SHARON (Single reactor system for High activity Ammonium Removal Over Nitrite) reactors. Due to the new processes considered, BNRM2 allows an accurate prediction of wastewater treatment plant performance in wider environmental and operating conditions.
  Water Science & Technology 01/2013; 67(7):1481-9. · 1.12 Impact Factor