Activated carbon membrane biofilm reactor for the degradation of volatile organic pollutants

Abstract

For the treatment of inhibitory wastewaters, biofilm reactors are distinguished by high process stability and flexibility. The activated carbon membrane biofilm reactor described in this paper combines the advantages of membrane technology and activated carbon adsorption in order to biologically degrade volatile organic pollutants in wastewater. Membranes provide oxygen, and activated carbon ensures a rapid reduction of organic concentration below the toxicity limit of the microorganisms. Two different reactor types are compared in this investigation.