The Membrane Biofilm Reactor (MBfR) for Wastewater Treatment: Applications, Design Considerations, and Technology Outlook

摘要

The membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) is an emerging technology for water and wastewaterrntreatment based on gas-supplying membranes. Unlike conventional filtration membranes,rnMBfRs do not separate solids from liquids. Rather, a gaseous substrate is transferred across thernmembrane, while a biofilm, naturally formed on the outer membrane surface, catalyzes desiredrnreactions. MBfRs can be supplied with air or oxygen to remove carbon and nitrogen fromrnwastewater. They can also use hydrogen for safe and cost effective autotrophic denitrificationrnand the treatment of other oxidized contaminants such as perchlorate and bromate. Majorrnbenefits of MBfRs include low energy consumption, high gas utilization efficiencies, smallrnfootprints, and great operational versatility. The MBfR has been the subject of extensivernresearch over the past 15 years, and the first commercial MBfR application was released in 2011.rnThis paper will provide a comprehensive review of the MBfR, including the most currentrnresearch and future needs.