Chapter 6 - Membrane bioreactor processes

Abstract

Membrane bioreactor (MBR) process has been recognized as the promising technology for wastewater treatment/reuse in the 21st century. Thus this chapter is introduced to provide a comprehensive review of the MBR process, covering not only the principle of MBR but also the aspect of the practice of wastewater treatment, fouling, economic of MBR. Herein, this chapter includes the main sections: (1) introduction; (2) enhancement of biological wastewater treatment in MBR; (3) practical configuration; (4) application of MBR in domestic and industrial wastewater treatment; (5) design, operation, and maintenance parameters; (6) recent advances in MBR for pollutant elimination; (7) fouling control, and (8) economic assessment. It is aimed to lay a good foundation for an understanding of the MBR process and also provides a guide in design, operating, and maintenance in MBR system. We hope that the reviewed information of recently advanced MBR processes over the 20 years covered in this chapter would bring insightful information on the practical application of the MBR process to readerships (graduated students, academics, engineers, suppliers, consultants, and managers in wastewater treatment all over the world).