Treatment of textile wastewater with membrane bioreactor: A critical review

Authors

Veeriah Jegatheesan, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
Biplob Kumar Pramanik, Royal Melbourne Institute of TechnologyFollow
Jingyu Chen, Deakin University
Dimuth Navaratna, Victoria University
Chia-Yuan Chang, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science
Li Shu, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology

RIS ID

121592

Publication Details

Jegatheesan, V., Pramanik, B. Kumar., Chen, J., Navaratna, D., Chang, C. & Shu, L. (2016). Treatment of textile wastewater with membrane bioreactor: A critical review. Bioresource Technology, 204 202-212.

Abstract

Membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology has been used widely for various industrial wastewater treatments due to its distinct advantages over conventional bioreactors. Treatment of textile wastewater using MBR has been investigated as a simple, reliable and cost-effective process with a significant removal of contaminants. However, a major drawback in the operation of MBR is membrane fouling, which leads to the decline in permeate flux and therefore requires membrane cleaning. This eventually decreases the lifespan of the membrane. In this paper, the application of aerobic and anaerobic MBR for textile wastewater treatment as well as fouling and control of fouling in MBR processes have been reviewed. It has been found that long sludge retention time increases the degradation of pollutants by allowing slow growing microorganisms to establish but also contributes to membrane fouling. Further research aspects of MBR for textile wastewater treatment are also considered for sustainable operations of the process.