Feasibility of the membrane bioreactor process for water reclamation

The feasibility of the membrane bioreactor (MBR) process for water reclamat ion was studied. Process evaluation was based on the following: literature review of MBRs, worldwide survey of MBRs, and preliminary costs estimates. The literature review and the survey have shown that the MBR process offers several benefits over the conventional activated sludge process, including : smaller space and reactor requirements, better effluent water quality, di sinfection, increased volumetric loading, and less sludge production. The M BR process can exist in two different configurations, one with the low-pres sure membrane modules replacing the clarifier downstream the bioreactor (in series), and the second with the membranes submerged within the bioreactor . Four major companies are currently marketing MBRs while many other compan ies are also in the process of developing new MBRs. The MBR process operate s in a considerably different range of parameters than the conventional act ivated sludge process. The preliminary cost evaluation has shown that the M BR process is cost competitive with other conventional wastewater treatment processes.