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Membrane Bioreactors

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Book cover Advanced Biological Treatment Processes

Part of the book series: Handbook of Environmental Engineering ((HEE,volume 9))

Abstract

Membrane bioreactor (MBR) is a biochemical engineering process involving the use of both (a) a suspended growth bioreactor for biochemical reactions (such as fermentation, bio-oxidation, nitrification, and denitrification); and (b) a membrane separator for sequent solid–liquid separation. In a chemical engineering fermentation process, the solids may be yeasts and the liquid may be an alcohol. In an environmental engineering process, the solids may be activated sludge, and the liquid may be the biologically treated wastewater (WW).

Practically speaking, the membrane separator replaces clarifier, such as sedimentation or dissolved air flotation in a conventional activated sludge (CAS) process system. The membrane module can be either submerged in the activated sludge bioreactor, or situated outside the activated sludge bioreactor. This chapter introduces historical development, engineering applications, various MBR process systems, design considerations and practical environmental engineering applications, such as treatment of dairy industry wastes, landfill leachate, coffee industry wastes, and cosmetics industry wastes.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lenox Institute of Water Technology, Lenox, MA, USA

    Lawrence K. Wang (Ex-Dean and Director, Assistant to the President (retired), Vice President (retired)

  2. Krofta Engineering Corporation, Lenox, MA, USA

    Lawrence K. Wang (Ex-Dean and Director, Assistant to the President (retired), Vice President (retired)

  3. Zorex Corporation, Newtonville, NY, USA

    Lawrence K. Wang (Ex-Dean and Director, Assistant to the President (retired), Vice President (retired)

  4. Formerly Senior Principal Engineer, Industrial Biological Systems, ONDEO Degremont Inc., Richmond, VA, USA

    Ravinder Menon (Formerly Senior Principal Engineer)

Authors
  1. Lawrence K. Wang
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  2. Ravinder Menon
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Lenox Institute of Water Technology, Lenox, MA, USA

    Lawrence K. Wang PhD, PE, DEE  & Nazih K. Shammas PhD  & 

  2. Krofta Engineering Corporation, Lenox, MA, USA

    Lawrence K. Wang PhD, PE, DEE  & Nazih K. Shammas PhD  & 

  3. Zorex Corporation, Newtonville, NY, USA

    Lawrence K. Wang PhD, PE, DEE

  4. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Yung-Tse Hung PhD, PE, DEE

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Wang, L.K., Menon, R. (2009). Membrane Bioreactors. In: Wang, L.K., Shammas, N.K., Hung, YT. (eds) Advanced Biological Treatment Processes. Handbook of Environmental Engineering, vol 9. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-170-7_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-170-7_4

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-360-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-60327-170-7

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

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