Anaerobic membrane bioreactor for the treatment of high-strength waste/wastewater: A critical review and update

Zijing An, Junjie Zhu, Min Zhang, Yan Zhou, Xiaomei Su, Hongjun Lin, Faqian Sun*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

52 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) which integrates membrane filtration with anaerobic process, achieves high COD removal (∼95%) with short hydraulic retention time, offering significant advantages for efficient energy and resource recovery. This review focuses on AnMBRs application in various high-strength waste/wastewater, including industrial wastewater, landfill leachate, food waste, and waste activated sludge, highlighting the advantages it offers in energy production and degradation of complex contaminants. While membrane fouling remains a persistent challenge, emerging strategies such as vibratory shear enhanced process, the addition of fluidizing carriers, and the application of biological quorum quenching, have shown considerable promises in mitigating membrane fouling. The performance of these strategies is then analyzed in terms of membrane fouling control, biogas production, and potential advantages compared with conventional methods. Furthermore, this review provides an in-depth analysis of innovative AnMBR configurations, namely anaerobic dynamic membrane bioreactor (AnDMBR), anaerobic electrochemical membrane bioreactor (AnEMBR), anaerobic vibrating membrane bioreactor (AnVMBR), and anaerobic osmotic membrane bioreactor (AnOMBR). Critical evaluations of these configurations are conducted, focusing on their potential to alleviate membrane fouling and enhance pollutants removal. Nevertheless, more work is needed to (1) explore broader applications, (2) develop new membrane materials targeting anaerobic process, (3) achieve more efficient fouling control and pollutants removal by operating parameters optimization, as well as (4) conduct comprehensive life cycle assessments.

Original languageEnglish
Article number144322
JournalChemical Engineering Journal
Volume470
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 15 2023
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Elsevier B.V.

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • General Chemistry
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Keywords

  • AnMBR
  • High-strength waste/wastewater
  • Innovative configurations
  • Membrane fouling control
  • Quorum quenching

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