By: Sunny Wu（sunny7@juntaiplastic.com）
Post Date: Oct.27th, 2021
Post Tags: What is Membrane Reactor Treatment Process and Basic Design Principles
Membrane Reactor combines conventional biological treatment processes with membrane filtration to provide an advanced level of organic and suspended solids removal. When designed accordingly, these systems can also provide an advanced level of nutrient removal. In an MBR system, the membranes are submerged in an aerated biological reactor. The membranes have porosities ranging from 0.035 microns to 0.4 microns (depending on the manufacturer), which is considered between micro and ultrafiltration.
This level of filtration allows for high-quality effluent to be drawn through the membranes and eliminates the sedimentation and filtration processes typically used for wastewater treatment. Because the need for sedimentation is eliminated, the biological process can operate at a much higher mixed liquor concentration. This dramatically reduces the process tankage required and allows many existing plants to be upgraded without adding new tanks. To provide optimal aeration and scour around the membranes, the mixed liquor is typically kept in the 1.0-1.2% solids range, which is 4 times that of a conventional plant.
Typical schematic for membrane bioreactor system. Source: FITZGERALD (2008)