Applications of membrane bioreactors for water reclamation: Micropollutant removal, mechanisms and perspectives

Jinxing Ma; Ruobin Dai; Mei Chen; Stuart J Khan; Zhiwei Wang

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2018.08.121

Applications of membrane bioreactors for water reclamation: Micropollutant removal, mechanisms and perspectives

Bioresour Technol. 2018 Dec:269:532-543. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.08.121. Epub 2018 Aug 31.

Authors

Jinxing Ma¹, Ruobin Dai², Mei Chen², Stuart J Khan³, Zhiwei Wang⁴

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Safety, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China; UNSW Water Research Centre, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
² State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Safety, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China.
³ UNSW Water Research Centre, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
⁴ State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Safety, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China. Electronic address: zwwang@tongji.edu.cn.

PMID: 30195697
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.08.121

Abstract

Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) have attracted attention in water reclamation as a result of the recent technical advances and cost reduction in membranes. However, the increasing occurrence of micropollutants in wastewaters has posed new challenges. Therefore, we reviewed the current state of research to identify the outstanding needs in this field. In general, the fate of micropollutants in MBRs relates to sorption, biodegradation and membrane separation processes. Hydrophobic, nonionized micropollutants are favorable in sorption, and the biological degradation shows higher efficiency at relatively long SRTs (30-40 days) and HRTs (20-30 h), as a result of co-metabolism, metabolism and/or ion trapping. Although the membrane rejection rates for micropollutants are generally minor, final water quality can be improved via combination with other technologies. This review highlights the challenges and perspectives that should be addressed to facilitate the extended use of MBRs for the removal of micropollutants in water reclamation.

Keywords: Biodegradation; Membrane bioreactor; Micropollutant; Wastewater treatment; Water reclamation.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Bioreactors*
Membranes, Artificial
Waste Disposal, Fluid*
Wastewater
Water
Water Pollutants, Chemical
Water Purification*

Substances

Membranes, Artificial
Waste Water
Water Pollutants, Chemical
Water