Performance Evaluation of Membrane Bioreactor Operational Design in Sewage Treatment Plant using GPS-X Software

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14500/aro.12033

Keywords:

Characteristic of sewage, GPS-X modeling, Membrane bioreactor, Membrane filtration, Sewage treatment processes

Abstract

This study evaluates the operational performance of a full-scale membrane bioreactor wastewater treatment plant located in Kuala Lumpur using GPS-X 8.0 simulation software. Key performance indicators–including mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS), transmembrane pressure (TMP), dissolved oxygen, and effluent total suspended solids (TSS)were monitored over 30 days. The simulations were conducted using the advanced mode and calibrated with actual plant data. Results show that although the plant complies with Malaysian effluent discharge standards, it operates well below its design capacity, with MLSS levels significantly lower than recommended. This operational underload contributes to increased energy consumption and reduced treatment efficiency, particularly in terms of TSS and chemical oxygen demand removal.

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Author Biographies

Ali S. Dawood, Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering campus, Penang, Malaysia

Ali Saad Dawood holds an M.Sc. degree in environmental engineering from Universiti Sains Malaysia and a B.Sc. degree in civil engineering from Cihan University. Currently, he serves as a construction manager for the Kut-Bettera land reclamation project. Prior to this role, he held the position of research assistant under the supervision of Dr. Fatehah Mohd Omar at Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Fatehah M. Omar, Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering campus, Penang, Malaysia

Fateha M. Omar is a Senior Lecturer with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Strong education professional skilled in sustainable development, water quality modeling, nanoparticles, sustainability, and fate & transport.

Amera G. Baker, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Health, Koya University, Koya 44023, Kurdistan Region – F.R. Iraq

Amera G. Baker is an Assistant professorat the Department of Physics, Koya University. She has a B.Sc. degree in Physics from University of Baghdad, Iraq, and M.Sc. degree in Materials physics from University of Baghdad, Iraq.  Her researches interests include; mechanical, electrical, and optical properties of polymers, ceramics, and metals.

Hawbash H. Karim, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Health, Koya University, Koya 44023, Kurdistan Region – F.R. Iraq

Hawbash H. Karim is  an Assistant Professor at the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Health,  Koya University, Kurdistan Region, F.R. Iraq. He has  a B.Sc. degree in Physics, M.Sc. degree in Electromagnetic Theory, and a Ph.D. degree in Nanoscience. His research interest includes radar antenna, electromagnetic theory radiation, nanotechnology, thermal conductivity of nanomaterials, X-Ray and nanowires.

References

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Published

2025-08-25

How to Cite

Dawood, A. S. (2025) “Performance Evaluation of Membrane Bioreactor Operational Design in Sewage Treatment Plant using GPS-X Software”, ARO-THE SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL OF KOYA UNIVERSITY, 13(2), pp. 142–151. doi: 10.14500/aro.12033.

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2025): Edition Twenty Five

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Ali S. Dawood, Fatehah M. Omar, Amera G. Baker, Hawbash H. Karim

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Received 2025-01-31
Accepted 2025-07-13
Published 2025-08-25

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