ABSTRACT
The membrane bioreactor (MBR) is a promising technology for developing new approaches to remove a variety of contaminants from wastewater. The coupling of membrane filtration with biological processes eliminates the need for sedimentation after the bioreactor, reduces overall system footprint and improves the effluent quality. For the past decades, MBRs have been developed for removal of a variety of contaminants from wastewater, including organic matter, nutrients, pathogens, and contaminants of emerging concerns. In this chapter, we described how membranes have been applied in wastewater treatment based on the separation mechanisms. Then various membrane materials and the diverse modules are introduced, followed by an in-depth discussion of MBR treatment feasibility, configuration, and their performance with different wastewater types. Finally, we highlight the challenges and opportunities related to the broader application of MBR for wastewater treatment.
