• Membrane Journal
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.24-44
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• 2013

The MBR technology has evolved rapidly over the past two decades with significant gains in performance and reliability, and reductions in costs. Membrane bioreactors (MBR) technology is widely recognised as offering a key option for enhanced wastewater treatment or reuse. The objective of this paper is then to critically review the remarkable achievement on the research and commercial applications of membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology and to present current and potential MBR markets on a global scope. This brief review of the technology incorporates five key aspects : 1) evolution of MBR practice, 2) the commercial technologies of MBRs, 3) the largest MBR installations globally (e.g. > $10,000m^3/day$), 4) MBR market growth, and 5) directions for future research. Finally, the development directions of economical, environmental and technical aspects in MBRs; 1) investment costs; 2) effluent water quality; 3) membrane materials and modules; 4) MBR equipment and treatment process; 5) operating costs (higher energy & chemical consumption); and 6) sustainability such as anaerobic MBRs in the coming years were addressed.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.238-247
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• 2004

The objective of this study was to develop kinetic model for the MBR and investigate kinetic characteristics of the gravitational flow transverse direction MBR system. Kinetic model was derived by mass balance of substratc and biomass combined with empirical membranc filtration rerm for the MBR. To find kinctic values, permeale flux and COD removal were analyzed through the laboratory, MBR operation as different solids retention times. Permeate flux was ranged 2.5-5.0 LMH (L/m$^2$/hr) as sludge characteristics in each run. Although the soluble COD in the bioreactor was changed, the effluent COD was stable as average 99% removal rate during the experimental periods. Y$_g$ of this MBR system was higher than those of cross-flow MBR processes. The kinetics of this MBR showed that smaller k, larger b, and larger K$_s$ values than the conventional activated sludge process. These results indicated that substrate was used for cell maintenance rather than growth in this MBR system.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.197-205
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• 2014

For the first time in Bangladesh, a bench scale membrane bioreactor (MBR) unit was tested in treating a textile wastewater in the industry premises of EOS Textile Mills LTD, Dhaka for three months. The performance of the unit was compared with that of the conventional activated sludge treatment plant, which is in operation in the same premises. The COD and BOD removal efficiency of the MBR unit reached to around 90% and 80% respectively in 20 days whereas the removal efficiency of the conventional treatment plant was as low as 40-50% and 38-40% respectively. The outlet COD and the BOD level for the MBR unit remained stable in spite of the fluctuation in the feed value, while the conventional effluent treatment plant (ETP) failed to keep any stabilized level. The performance of the MBR unit was much superior to that of the functional ETP and the water treated by the MBR system can meet disposal standard.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.159-166
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• 2020

In this study, the performance and antifouling properties of polysulfone (PSf) and polyvinylidene fluoride/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVDF/PVP) membranes in a membrane bioreactor (MBR) were investigated. The membranes were prepared via phase inversion method, and then characterized by a set of analyses including contact angle, porosity and water flux and applied in a lab-scale MBR system. Soluble microbial product (SMP), extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), FTIR, gel permission chromatography (GPC) and particle size distribution (PSD) analyses were also carried out for MBR system. The results showed that the MBR with PSf membrane had higher hydrophobic organic compounds which resulted in formation of larger flocs in MBR. However, in this MBR had high compressibility coefficient of cake layer was higher (n=0.91) compared to MBR with PVDF/PVP membrane (n=0.8); hence, the fouling was more profound. GPC analysis revealed that compounds with molecular weight lower than 2 kDa are more formed on PSf membrane more than PVDF/PVP membrane. The results of FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of polysaccharide and protein compounds on the cake layer of both membranes which was in good agreement with EPS analysis. In addition, the results showed that their concentration was higher for the cake on PSf membrane.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.279-284
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• 2018

Membrane biofouling is a critical operational problem that hinders the rapid commercialization of MBRs. Quorum quenching (QQ) has been investigated widely to control membrane biofouling and is accepted as a promising anti-fouling strategy. Various QQ strategies based on bacterial and enzymatic agents have been identified and applied successfully. Whereas, this study aimed to compare indigenously isolated QQ strain i.e., Enterobacter cloaca with well reported Rhodococcus sp. BH4. Both bacterial species were immobilized in polymeric beads and introduced to two different MBRs keeping the overall beads to volume ratio as 1%. Efficiencies of these strains were monitored in terms of prolonging the membrane filtration cycle of MBR, release of extra-cellular polymeric substances, membrane resistivity measurements and mineralization of signal molecules and permeate quality. Indigenous strain (Enterobacter cloaca) was added to $QQ-MBR_E$ while Rhodococcus sp. BH4 was introduced to $QQ-MBR_R$. QQ bacterial embedded beads showed enhanced filtration cycles up to 1.4 and 2.3 times for $QQ-MBR_E$ and $QQ-MBR_R$ respectively as compared to control MBR (C-MBR). Soluble EPS concentration of 52 mg/L was observed in C-MBR while significantly lower EPS concentration of 20 and 10 mg/L was witnessed in $QQ-MBR_E$ and $QQ-MBR_R$, respectively. Therefore, substantial reduction in biofouling showed the effectiveness of indigenous strain.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.183-190
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• 2020

The objectives of this research were the reduction of membrane fouling and improvement of sludge properties by using synthesized H-ZSM-5 and NH₄-ZSM-5 zeolites. These two nano zeolites were synthesized and added to the membrane bioreactor (MBR). Three similar MBRs with the same operational condition were used in order to evaluate their effect on the mentioned matters. The evaluated parameters were trans-membrane pressure (TMP), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), particle size distribution (PSD), soluble microbial product (SMP), extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and, excitation-emission matrix (EEM). The MBR₀ was without any additional zeolite while 0.4 g/L of H-ZSM-5 and NH₄-ZSM-5 were added to MBR_HZSM-5 and MBR_NH4ZSM-5, respectively. The COD removal of the MBR₀, MBR_H-ZSM-5 and MBR_NH4-ZSM-5 were 87.5%, 93.3% and 94.6%, respectively. The TMP of the MBR_H-ZSM-5 was 45% less than MBR₀ whereas the reduction for MBR_NH4-ZSM-5 was 65.5%. Also results showed that both H-ZSM-5 and NH₄-ZSM-5 caused reduction in protein and polysaccharide related EPS but the NH₄-ZSM-5 had better performance toward the elimination of organic compounds.

• Proceedings of the Membrane Society of Korea Conference
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• 2008.05a
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• pp.234-237
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• 2008

• Membrane Journal
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.289-296
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• 2005

In the MBR process, the membrane fouling occurs seriously on the membrane surface. In general, the membrane fouling is attributed to factors such as deposition or adhesion of sludge floc. The occurrence of fouling is a main cause of a decrease in membrane module fluk. At this study, our MBR membrane is manufactured by nano-particle with excellent anti-fouling character. The fine nano-material which can repel the sludge Hoc from the membrane surface is distributed in the membrane surface. We confirm anti-fouling effect, test continuously in the pilot site.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.477-488
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• 2015

This study demonstrates that low pressure membranes are the ideal choice for industrial and/or municipal wastewater treatment by showing some promising experimental results, understanding different membrane filtration models, studying the potential of membrane bioreactors (MBRs), considering ceramic membranes fabrication and illustrating the role of nanotechnology in membranes. Cost study calculations are included to determine the treatment cost as well as the initial cost of various membrane types. Results showed that integrated membranes are preferred over MBR in case of average capacities. However, higher capacity situations are the most economical choice for MBR. It is shown that the least treatment cost in MBR was about $0.13/m^3$. However, the $0.13/m^3$ is the theoretical cost which is very small compared to the actual average MBR treatment cost of $0.5/m^3$.

• Proceedings of the Membrane Society of Korea Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.45-52
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• 2002

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