Title: Membrane bioreactor technology for decentralised wastewater treatment and reuse

Authors: Nichanan Tadkaew, Muttucumaru Sivakumar, Long D. Nghiem

Addresses: Sustainable Water and Energy Research Group (SWERG), School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. ' Sustainable Water and Energy Research Group (SWERG), School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. ' Sustainable Water and Energy Research Group (SWERG), School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia

Abstract: There is a growing interest in utilising non-traditional water resources by means of water reclamation and water recycling for long term sustainability. Amongst the many treatment alternatives, membrane bioreactors (MBRs) have been seen as an effective technology capable of transforming various types of wastewater into high-quality effluent exceeding most discharge requirements and suitable for a variety of reuse applications. To date MBRs are largely restricted to centralised large scale applications, with the most common capacity of 200 ML per day or above. The aim of this paper is to review and discuss the potential and limitations of MBRs for small scale applications. Both technical and economic considerations will be delineated with respect to the future water outlook in Australia. Particular attention is also given to the impact of MBR technology on the removal of micropollutants that are of significant concern in water recycling.

Keywords: membrane bioreactors; MBRs; membrane filtration; decentralised wastewater treatment; water recycling; trace contaminants; wastewater reuse; sustainability; sustainable development; Australia; micropollutants.

DOI: 10.1504/IJW.2007.016320

International Journal of Water, 2007 Vol.3 No.4, pp.368 - 380

Published online: 17 Dec 2007 *

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