Trends and progress in AnMBR for domestic wastewater treatment and their impacts on process efficiency and membrane fouling

Abstract

Anaerobic membrane bioreactor has emerged as an innovative technology in treating domestic wastewater due to its excellent produced effluent quality and high potential of neutral or positive energy balance. One of the biggest challenges in positive energy objective is fouling mitigation which contributes towards 70% of the total energy requirement of MBR-based domestic wastewater treatment. Numerous studies were carried out to address this issue, utilizing various reactor design configurations and operating conditions for energy minimization as well as membrane performance enhancement. The latest research trend in this sector is the establishment of hybrid processes like Granular Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactors (G-AnMBR), Forward Osmosis Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (FO-AnMBR) and Microbial Electrolysis Cell-Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (MEC-AnMBR) for domestic wastewater treatment which not only provides efficiency in treatment but also improves fouling mitigation. Also, the application of techniques developed particularly for fouling mitigation like quorum quenching and sensing, cell entrapment and membrane module vibrations in AnMBRs were assessed. This paper reviews the latest trends in anaerobic membrane bioreactors research with regards to water quality produced, removal efficiencies and fouling mitigation. • AnMBR operation for domestic wastewater treatment at pilot-scale has been detailed. • Fouling mitigation accounts for largest energy requirement. • Hybrid processes can offer energy optimized fouling control. • Quorum Quenching and vibrations can reduce efficiently fouling in AnMBRs. • Research directions for fouling mitigation strategies in AnMBRs are identified.