DETOXIFICATION OF INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATERS IN AN EXTRACTIVE MEMBRANE BIOREACTOR

Point source treatment of aqueous wastes produced in the chemical indu stry and containing toxic organic compounds in an Extractive Membrane Bioreactor (EMB) is reported. The EMB is shown to be effective in remo ving a range of toxic organic compounds, achieving over 99% removal at wastewater-reactor contact times of less than 30 minutes. A model whi ch predicts the removal efficiency is discussed, and a new, advanced E MB system is described which overcomes the mass transfer limitations i n the original plug flow configuration. Finally, data showing the effe ct of the membrane attached biofilms on membrane mass transfer is used to illustrate one of the key problems that must be solved during tech nology transfer if the EMB process is to prove successful at industria l scale. Copyright (C) 1996 IAWQ.