This document provides an overview of membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology for wastewater treatment. MBR systems combine biological treatment with microfiltration or ultrafiltration membranes to filter wastewater. This allows for very high concentrations of mixed liquor suspended solids and produces high-quality effluent that can be reused. While MBRs have advantages like compact design and high treatment capacity, they also have higher capital costs and issues with membrane fouling. Currently, over 250 MBR systems are in use globally, especially in Japan and India for water recycling.

1. An overview
MEMBRANE BIOREACTER
By
Dhananjay Desai
student M.Sc. II
Department of Microbiology
N. A. C. & Sc. College, Ahmednagar

2. Content
 Introduction
 Membrane Bioreactor Technology
 What is Membrane
 How it Works?
 Process configuration
 Layout
 Working Theory
 Reuse potential
 Advantages
 Disadvantages
 Current Status
 Conclusion

3. Introduction
 Urban wastewater is usually treated by CASP’s.
 Treatment efficacy limited by difficulties in
separating SS’s.
 MBR is improvement of CASP.

4. MBR Technology
 Based on Biological treatment. Combination of two
process.
a) Microfiltration b) Ultra filtration
 Provide Filtered quality of final effluent.
 Allow very high MLSS concentration.

5. Membrane ?
• It is an intervening phase separating two
phases and /or active as an active or passive
barrier to transport of matter between
phases.

7. How it Works?
 Microscopic pores.
Barrier to impurities.
Gentle suction.

8. Process configuration
• Two main process configuration of biomass rejection
MBRs are-
Submerge or immersed MBR (iMBR).
External / Sidestream MBR (eMBR).

9. Compact layout of system

10. Working Theory

11. Reuse potential of MBR
 Completely acceptable water.
 After softening treatment use for industrial purpose.
 Thus, large quantity of water can saved.

12. Advantages
 High quality effluent.
 High loading Rate Capacity.
 Reducing tertiary filtration and secondary clarifiers.
 Reducing plant budget.

13. disadvantages
 Increase Capital Cost. (membrane cost)
 Membrane fouling.

14. Current Status
 About 250 currently working in various part of globe.
 Japan use most MBR system are use for water
recycling in building.
 In India MBR use in hotel industries, residential
township, and housing complexes, gardening,
flushing and other cleaning purpose.

15. Conclusion
 this emerging technology has developed a niche in
the wastewater treatment sector.
 the next step in its development would be to develop
a membrane bioreactor process that is both robust
and efficient for various wastewater applications.

17. Reference