On Wastewater Treatment in Membrane Bioreactors

Membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology is a wastewater treatment method coupling biological treatment and membrane separation. Although MBR technology did not come into the spotlight when it was first introduced by Smith and coworkers in the late 1960s, it has been playing an important role in wastewater treatment and wastewater reuse since the mid-1990s. Research on MBR technology has matured, and several thousands of full-scale applications of MBRs are operating worldwide. The first part of this paper focuses on the water and wastewater treatment in membrane bioreactors. Biological treatment and membrane filtration are briefly discussed. The second part of this paper provides insights into membrane types, modules and cassettes useful in MBRs. Finally the last part of the present paper, demonstrates principles of operational parameters of membrane bioreactors.

Keywords:

Membrane bioreactors , Wastewater treatment , Membrane fouling , Municipal wastewater , Membrane cleaning