Membrane aerated biofilm reactors: a brief current review.
Membrane aerated biofilm reactors (MABRs) represent a relatively new biotreatment technology. In a MABR, biofilm is grown on a gas-permeable membrane (often a hollow fiber membrane). Soluble organic compounds in the liquid are supplied to the biofilm from the biofilm-liquid interface whereas oxygen supply to the biofilm is from the biofilm-membrane interface (by oxygen diffusing through the membrane). MABRs can achieve bubble-less aeration and high oxygen utilization efficiency (up to 100%) and the biofilm can be stratified into aerobic/anoxic/anaerobic zones to simultaneously achieve removal of carbonaceous organic pollutants as well as nitrification and denitrification (if needed) in a single biofilm. This article briefly reviews the MABR process, including the characteristics, membrane materials, modular design, operation parameters and the potential applications, from relevant recent patents and literature.
Li
Tinggang
T
Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, People's Republic of China.
Liu
Junxin
J
Bai
Renbi
R
D001420:Bacteria, Aerobic / Q000502:physiology*; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010330:Patents as Topic; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical
D008567:Membranes, Artificial