Membrane biofilm reactors

The purpose of this chapter is to review the critical factors contributing to MBR process performance and to report recent advancements in key areas. Coverage is directed toward membrane separation bioreactors, although recent developments in membrane biofilm reactors will be briefly discussed. Much of the current MBR research effort is directed toward municipal wastewater applications however, substantial commonalities exist with respect to industrial wastewater appheation and where possible, reference is made to the specific aspects of the technology when applied to the treatment of industrial wastewater. 

The MBfR is another process variation and typically referred to a membrane biofilm reactor where hydrogen is the electron acceptor. A large number of bacteria can use hydrogen as an electron acceptor, and the delivery of hydrogen via a membrane offers an efficient and safe solution. A number of studies have been undertaken for the hydrogenotrophic reduction of pollutants such as perchlorate, chlorate, chlorite, bromate, chromate, selenate, selenite, arsenate, and dichlo-romethane. A recent review of the technology is provided by Martin and Nerenberg [67]. 

Martin, K.J., Nerenberg, R., The membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) for water and wastewater treatment Principles, applications, and recent developments. Bioresource Technology 2012,122, 83-94. 

Chung, X, Li, X. and Rittmann, B. 2006a. Bio-reduction of arsenate using a hydrogen-based membrane biofilm reactor. Chemosphere, 65,24-34. 

Cowman, J.,Torres, C. I. and Rittmann, B. E. 2005.Total nitrogen removal in an aer-obic/anoxic membrane biofilm reactor system. Water Science and Technology, 52,115-120. 

Hasar, H., Xia, S., Ahn, C. H. and Rittmann, B. E. 2008. Simultaneous removal of organic matter and nitrogen compounds by an aerobic/anoxic membrane biofilm reactor. Water Research, 42,4109 116. 

Hwang, J. H., Cicek, N. and Oleszkiewicz, J. A. 2009a. Long-term operation of membrane biofilm reactors for nitrogen removal with autotrophic bacteria. Water Science and Technology, 60,2405-2412. 

Kim, J., Song, I., Lee, S., Kim, E, Oh, H., Park, J. and Choung, Y. 2010. Decompostion of pharmaceuticals (sulfamethazine and sulfathiazole) using oxygen-based membrane biofilm reactor. Desalination, 250,751-756. 

Kolb, F. R. and WUderer, P. A. 1995. Activated carbon membrane biofilm reactor for the degradation of volatile organic pollutants. Water Science and Technology, 31,205-213. 

Kumar, A., Ergas, S. I, Yuan, X.,Fitch, M., Min, K. -N., Dewulf, J. and van Langenhove, H. 2010a. Modeling of a hollow fiber membrane biofilm reactor for nitric oxide removal model development and experimental validation./oarnaZ of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 85,423-428. 

Modin, O., Fukushi, K., Nakajima, F. and Yamamoto, K. 2008b. A membrane biofilm reactor achieves aerobic methane oxidation coupled to denitrification (AME-D) with high efficiency. Water Science and Technology, 58,83-87. 

Nerenberg, R., Rittmann, B. E. and Najm, I. 2002. Perchlorate reduction in a hydrogen-based membrane-biofilm reactor. AWWA Journal, 94,103-114. 

Shin, I, Sang, B., Chung, Y. and Choung, Y. 2005. The removal of nitrogen using an autotrophic hybrid hollow-fiber membrane biofilm reactor. Desalination, 183, 447 54. 

Wang, R., Zhan, X., Zhang, Y. and Zhao, J. 2011. Nitrifying population dynamics in a redox stratified membrane biofilm reactor (RSMBR) for treating ammonium-rich wastewater. Frontiers of Environmental Science and Engineering in China,5,48-56. 

Aybar, M., Pizarro, G., Boltz, J., Downing, L., Nerenberg, R. (2014). Energy-efficient wastewater treatment via the air-based, hybrid membrane biofilm reactor (hybrid-MBfR). Water Science and Technology, 69(8). 

Liquid influent Gas influent FIGURE 14.10 Membrane-biofilm reactor (MBfR). 

Chung, J., Krajmalnik-Brown, R., Rittmaim, B. Biorednction of trichloroethene using a hydrogen-based membrane biofilm reactor. Environ Sd Technol 2007,42(2), 477-483. 

Nerenberg, R., Rittmarm, B Ji., 2004. Hydrogen-based, hoUow-fiber membrane biofilm reactor for reduction of perchlorate and other oxidized contamitants. Water Science and Technology 223—230. 

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