title: The effect of activated carbon addition on membrane bioreactor processes for wastewater treatment and reclamation - A critical review.
abstract: This review concentrates on the effect of activated carbon (AC) addition to membrane bioreactors (MBRs) treating wastewaters. Use of AC-assisted MBRs combines adsorption, biodegradation and membrane filtration. This can lead to advanced removal of recalcitrant pollutants and mitigation of membrane fouling. The relative contribution of adsorption and biodegradation to overall removal achieved by an AC-assisted MBR process can vary, and "biological AC" may not fully develop due to competition of target pollutants with bulk organics in wastewater. Thus periodic replenishment of spent AC is necessary. Sludge retention time (SRT) governs the frequency of spent AC withdrawal and addition of fresh AC, and is an important parameter that significantly influences the performance of AC-assisted MBRs. Of utmost importance is AC dosage because AC overdose may aggravate membrane fouling, increase sludge viscosity, impair mass transfer and reduce sludge dewaterability.
authors: The University of Surrey, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, UK. Electronic address: g.skouteris@surrey.ac.uk.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Skouteris
authors: The University of Surrey, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, UK.
authors: Devendra
authors: D
authors: Saroj
authors: Democritus University of Thrace, Department of Environmental Engineering, 67100 Xanthi, Greece.
authors: Paraschos
authors: P
authors: Melidis
authors: Strategic Water Infrastructure Laboratory, School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
authors: Faisal I
authors: FI
authors: Hai
authors: The University of Surrey, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, UK.
authors: Sabèha
authors: S
authors: Ouki
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D057219:Biofouling; D019149:Bioreactors; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D002606:Charcoal / Q000737:chemistry*; D005374:Filtration; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011208:Powders; D012722:Sewage; D014783:Viscosity; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D062065:Wastewater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
chemical_list: D002244:Carbon; D002606:Charcoal; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011208:Powders; D012722:Sewage; D062065:Wastewater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Granular activated carbon; Membrane bioreactors; Membrane fouling; Powdered activated carbon; Wastewater treatment