TY - GEN
T1 - The air-based membrane biofilm reactor (MBFR) for energy efficient wastewater treatment
AU - Aybar, Marcelo
AU - Pizarro, Gonzalo
AU - Martin, Kelly
AU - Boltz, Joshua
AU - Downing, Leon
AU - Nerenberg, Robert
N1 - Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Water Environment Federation. All Rights Reserved.
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - The membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) is a novel, energy-efficient technology that provides wastewater treatment by passively supplying dissolved oxygen directly to a biofilm, without the formation of bubbles. Significant energy savings may be obtained by using the MABR for wastewater treatment, as compared to the conventional activated sludge process. In this study, we used modeling and cost estimation, as well as a sensitivity analysis, to determine the potential energy and cost savings of the MABR. Results suggest that energy savings can exceed 85%. The savings in energy and costs are strongly affected by the following: MABR fluxes for COD removal, nitrification, and denitrification; membrane costs (impacted by membrane material, the cassette assembly, and specific surface area); mixing energy requirements; and the life cycle cost of membrane. Further research is needed to better quantify the above variables, as well as develop and test potentially scalable and retrofittable reactor configurations. If feasible, the MABR can allow for more sustainable and cost effective wastewater management.
AB - The membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) is a novel, energy-efficient technology that provides wastewater treatment by passively supplying dissolved oxygen directly to a biofilm, without the formation of bubbles. Significant energy savings may be obtained by using the MABR for wastewater treatment, as compared to the conventional activated sludge process. In this study, we used modeling and cost estimation, as well as a sensitivity analysis, to determine the potential energy and cost savings of the MABR. Results suggest that energy savings can exceed 85%. The savings in energy and costs are strongly affected by the following: MABR fluxes for COD removal, nitrification, and denitrification; membrane costs (impacted by membrane material, the cassette assembly, and specific surface area); mixing energy requirements; and the life cycle cost of membrane. Further research is needed to better quantify the above variables, as well as develop and test potentially scalable and retrofittable reactor configurations. If feasible, the MABR can allow for more sustainable and cost effective wastewater management.
KW - Energy efficiency
KW - MABR
KW - MBfR
KW - Membranes
KW - Nitrogen removal
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84973512882&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84973512882&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2175/193864712811709814
DO - 10.2175/193864712811709814
M3 - Conference contribution
T3 - WEFTEC 2012 - 85th Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference
SP - 5458
EP - 5485
BT - WEFTEC 2012 - 85th Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference
PB - Water Environment Federation
T2 - 85th Annual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference, WEFTEC 2012
Y2 - 29 September 2012 through 3 October 2012
ER -