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Membranes
Special Issues
Membrane Bioreactors: Recent Advancements, Current Challenges and Future Opportunities
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Membrane Bioreactors: Recent Advancements, Current Challenges and Future Opportunities

A special issue of Membranes (ISSN 2077-0375). This special issue belongs to the section "Membrane Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2022) | Viewed by 12109

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Qianhong She

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Block N1-1c-100, Singapore 639798, Singapore
Interests: integrated membrane separation technology for applications in desalination, water reuse, and resource recovery; membrane fabrication and modification; membrane fouling mechanisms and mitigation
Prof. Dr. Bing Wu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iceland, Hjardarhagi 2-6, IS-107 Reykjavik, Iceland
Interests: membrane bioreactors; membrane-based water and wastewater treatment; membrane-based renewable energy; membrane fouling and mitigation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Xinhua Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, China
Interests: membrane bioreactor technology; forward-osmosis-based technology for wastewater reclamation and energy recovery; membrane fouling and fouling control; membrane technology for waste-activated sludge treatment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Membrane bioreactors (MBRs), which integrate biological processes and membrane separation processes, have been extensively used in wastewater treatment. MBRs offer many advantages compared to conventional activated sludge (CAS) processes, such as superior water quality, small footprint, reduced active sludge disposal, and fine control of sludge retention time (SRT). In the past decades, MBRs have achieved tremendous advancements from the original aerobic microfiltration/ultrafiltration (MF/UF)-MBR configuration to various new configurations including anaerobic-MBR, osmotic-MBR (OMBR), NF-MBR, MD-MBR, extractive MBR (EMBR), etc. This Special Issue aims to highlight the recent advancements on MBR technology and discuss the challenges and opportunities in the future development of MBRs in water-related industries. We welcome submissions on either original research or review papers pertaining to but not limited to the following topics in MBR.

  • Novel MBR configurations and types;
  • Fouling and its control in MBRs;
  • Membrane materials for MBRs;
  • Optimization of MBR system design and operation;
  • Hybrid MBR processes;
  • Applications of MBRs in treating various wastewaters (including industrial wastewater, domestic wastewater, landfill leachate, hospital wastewater, pharmaceutical wastewater, etc.).

Prof. Dr. Qianhong She
Prof. Dr. Bing Wu
Prof. Dr. Xinhua Wang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Membranes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • membrane bioreactor (MBR)
  • fouling
  • wastewater treatment
  • operation optimization
  • membrane materials
  • membrane module
  • membrane modification

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 6827 KiB  
Article
Efficiencies of O-MBR and A/O-MBR for Organic Matter Removal from and Trihalomethane Formation Potential Reduction in Domestic Wastewater
by Sornsiri Sriboonnak, Aegkapan Yanun, Phacharapol Induvesa, Chayakorn Pumas, Kritsana Duangjan, Pharkphum Rakruam, Saoharit Nitayavardhana, Prattakorn Sittisom and Aunnop Wongrueng
Membranes 2022, 12(8), 761; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12080761 - 2 Aug 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2160
Abstract
Lab-scale anoxic/oxic membrane bioreactor (A/O-MBR) and oxic membrane bioreactor (O-MBR) systems using a submerged polysulfone hollow-fiber membrane module with a pore size of 0.01 μm and a total surface area of 1.50 m2 were used to treat domestic wastewater. The sludge retention [...] Read more.
Lab-scale anoxic/oxic membrane bioreactor (A/O-MBR) and oxic membrane bioreactor (O-MBR) systems using a submerged polysulfone hollow-fiber membrane module with a pore size of 0.01 μm and a total surface area of 1.50 m2 were used to treat domestic wastewater. The sludge retention time (SRT) of each system was examined by setting the SRT to 10, 20, and infinity (no sludge withdrawal). The results showed that the total nitrogen removal efficiency of the A/O-MBR was more significant than that of the O-MBR at a SRT of infinity, with figures of 72.3% and 33.1% being found, respectively. The COD removal efficiencies of the A/O-MBR system with a SRT of 10 days, 20 days, and infinity were 82.4%, 84.3%, and 91.5%, respectively. The COD removal efficiencies of the O-MBR system with a SRT of 10 days, 20 days, and infinity were 79.3%, 81.5%, and 89.8%, respectively. An increase in the SRT resulted in an increase in the COD removal efficiency. The FEEM peak of the influent tended to decrease after an increase in the SRT for both systems (A/O-MBR and O-MBR). For the A/O-MBR system, the trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP) was significantly reduced by 88.91% (at a SRT of infinity). The THMFP declined significantly by 85.39% for the O-MBR system at a SRT of infinity. The A/O-MBR system showed a slightly higher efficiency than the O-MBR system in terms of the COD removal and the THMFP reduction. These results indicated that the MBR process, and the A/O-MBR system, in particular, could be used as an effective wastewater treatment process for many developing countries that are troubled by the emerging contamination of water and wastewater. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Bioreactors: Recent Advancements, Current Challenges and Future Opportunities)
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13 pages, 2446 KiB  
Article
Sequencing Batch Integrated Fixed-Film Activated Sludge Membrane Process for Treatment of Tapioca Processing Wastewater
by Nur Izzati Zainuddin, Muhammad Roil Bilad, Lisendra Marbelia, Wiratni Budhijanto, Nasrul Arahman, Afrilia Fahrina, Norazanita Shamsuddin, Zaki Ismail Zaki, Zeinhom M. El-Bahy, Asep Bayu Dani Nandiyanto and Poernomo Gunawan
Membranes 2021, 11(11), 875; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11110875 - 15 Nov 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2374
Abstract
Tapioca processing industries are very popular in the rural community to produce a variety of foods as the end products. Due to their small scales and scattered locations, they require robust modular systems to operate at low capacity with minimum supervision. This study [...] Read more.
Tapioca processing industries are very popular in the rural community to produce a variety of foods as the end products. Due to their small scales and scattered locations, they require robust modular systems to operate at low capacity with minimum supervision. This study explores the application of a novel sequencing batch-integrated fixed-film activated sludge membrane (SB-IFASM) process to treat tapioca processing wastewater for reuse purposes. The SB-IFASM employed a gravity-driven system and utilizes biofilm to enhance biodegradation without requiring membrane cleaning. The SB-IFASM utilizes the biofilm as a secondary biodegradation stage to enhance the permeate quality applicable for reuse. A lab-scale SB-IFASM was developed, preliminarily assessed, and used to treat synthetic tapioca processing industry wastewater. The results of short-term filtration tests showed the significant impact of hydrostatic pressure on membrane compaction and instant cake layer formation. Increasing the pressure from 2.2 to 10 kPa lowered the permeability of clean water and activated sludge from 720 to 425 and from 110 to 50 L/m2·h bar, respectively. The unsteady-state operation of the SB-IFASM showed the prominent role of the bio-cake in removing the organics reaching the permeate quality suitable for reuse. High COD removals of 63–98% demonstrated the prominence contribution of the biofilm in enhancing biological performance and ultimate COD removals of >93% make it very attractive for application in small-scale tapioca processing industries. However, the biological ecosystem was unstable, as shown by foaming that deteriorated permeability and was detrimental to the organic removal. Further developments are still required, particularly to address the biological stability and low permeability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Bioreactors: Recent Advancements, Current Challenges and Future Opportunities)
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13 pages, 1161 KiB  
Article
Gravity-Driven Membrane Reactor for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment: Effect of Reactor Configuration and Cleaning Protocol
by Ihtisham Ul Haq Shami and Bing Wu
Membranes 2021, 11(6), 388; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11060388 - 25 May 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4073
Abstract
In this study, three gravity-driven membrane (GDM) reactors with flat sheet membrane modules and various biocarriers (synthetic fibers, lava stones, and sands) were operated for municipal wastewater treatment. The effects of water head, periodically cleaning protocol, and operation temperature on the GDM reactor [...] Read more.
In this study, three gravity-driven membrane (GDM) reactors with flat sheet membrane modules and various biocarriers (synthetic fibers, lava stones, and sands) were operated for municipal wastewater treatment. The effects of water head, periodically cleaning protocol, and operation temperature on the GDM reactor performance were illustrated in terms of membrane performance and water quality. The results indicated that: (1) the cake layer fouling was predominant (>~85%), regardless of reactor configuration and operation conditions; (2) under lower water head, variable water head benefited in achieving higher permeate fluxes due to effective relaxation of the compacted cake layers; (3) the short-term chemical cleaning (30–60 min per 3–4 days) improved membrane performance, especially when additional physical shear force was implemented; (4) the lower temperature had negligible effect on the GDM reactors packed with Icelandic lava stones and sands. Furthermore, the wastewater treatment costs of the three GDM reactors were estimated, ranging between 0.31 and 0.37 EUR/m3, which was greatly lower than that of conventional membrane bioreactors under lower population scenarios. This sheds light on the technical and economic feasibility of biocarrier-facilitated GDM systems for decentralized wastewater treatment in Iceland. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Bioreactors: Recent Advancements, Current Challenges and Future Opportunities)
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9 pages, 7622 KiB  
Communication
Effect of Initial Water Flux on the Performance of Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor: Constant Flux Mode versus Varying Flux Mode
by Xiawen Yi, Meng Zhang, Weilong Song and Xinhua Wang
Membranes 2021, 11(3), 203; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11030203 - 13 Mar 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2069
Abstract
Anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) have aroused growing interest in wastewater treatment and energy recovery. However, serious membrane fouling remains a critical hindrance to AnMBRs. Here, a novel membrane fouling mitigation via optimizing initial water flux is proposed, and its feasibility was evaluated by [...] Read more.
Anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) have aroused growing interest in wastewater treatment and energy recovery. However, serious membrane fouling remains a critical hindrance to AnMBRs. Here, a novel membrane fouling mitigation via optimizing initial water flux is proposed, and its feasibility was evaluated by comparing the membrane performance in AnMBRs between constant flux and varying flux modes. Results indicated that, compared with the constant flux mode, varying flux mode significantly prolonged the membrane operating time by mitigating membrane fouling. Through the analyses of fouled membranes under two operating modes, the mechanism of membrane fouling mitigation was revealed as follows: A low water flux was applied in stage 1 which slowed down the interaction between foulants and membrane surface, especially reduced the deposition of proteins on the membrane surface and formed a thin and loose fouling layer. Correspondingly, the interaction between foulants was weakened in the following stage 2 with a high water flux and, subsequently, the foulants absorbed on the membrane surface was further reduced. In addition, flux operating mode had no impact on the contaminant removal in an AnMBR. This study provides a new way of improving membrane performance in AnMBRs via a varying flux operating mode. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membrane Bioreactors: Recent Advancements, Current Challenges and Future Opportunities)
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