Membrane bioreactors biological degradation

The treatment and safe disposal of waste is equally important whether it be waste generated by the pulp and paper industry, by the leather industry or gaseous waste. Recently, in addition to other membrane-based processes, demand has grown in the wastewater treatment industry for a process that uses both a biological stage and a membrane module, known as the membrane bioreactor (MBR) process. The bioreactor and membrane module each have a specific function (1) the biological degradation... 

Figure 3.53 Membrane bloreactor (MBR) system process flow schematic. MBR combines biological degradation with membrane separation. Raw municipal water flows to an aerated bioreactor where the organic components are oxidised by the activated sludge. The aqueous sludge then passes through a MF or UF membrane filtration unit, separating water from the sludge. The sludge flows back to the bioreactor while the membrane permeate is discharged or reused. Source USFilter.

The most suitable driving force in BI is the reduction of the diffusion path that already operates in transport processes across biological bilayers. Consequently, biocatalyst membranes and specially designed bioreactors, such as jet loop and membrane reactors, are available to intensify biochemical reactions. " " Supported biocatalysts are often employed to enhance catalytic activity and stability and to protect enzymes/ microorganisms from mechanical degradation and deactivation.f Immobilization of the cells is one of the techniques employed to improve the productivity of bioreactors. 

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