Chapter 1 - Introduction

Abstract

This chapter provides an introduction to the membrane bioreactor (MBR). MBR refers to water and wastewater treatment processes, which integrate a permselective membrane with a biological process. Commercial MBR processes employ the membrane as a filter, rejecting the solid materials developed by the biological process to provide a clarified and disinfected product. The progress of technological development and market penetration of MBRs can be viewed in the context of their historical development, current market penetration, key drivers, and the status of MBR research, all impacting the future prospects of the technology. For any region, a number of different factors—legislation, water scarcity, perceived return on investment, environmental considerations, and public and political perception and engagement---influence the market against a landscape of legacy and economic factors. The market is getting supplemented with many MBR membrane products and technology suppliers. The commercial significance of the technology is manifested in high global market exponential growth, steady increase in the number of commercial MBR membrane products, decreased gestation time between commercialization of an MBR membrane product and its large-scale implementation, marginally decreasing capital costs due to increased competition; marginally decreasing operating costs due to improvements made in membrane aeration efficiency; and increasing public acceptance of water reuse. MBR is the process of choice for water reuse applications, particularly where space is limited. A combination of technical advances and an inexorable increase in the demand for treated water can sustain or increase the growth in the MBR market to the point where it becomes the automatic first choice for wastewater treatment.