Membrane bio-reactors for decentralized wastewater treatment and reuse

Abstract

Decentralized wastewater treatment is the key to sustainable water management because it facilitates effluent (and nutrient) reuse for irrigation or as service water in households. Membrane bioreactors (MBR) can produce effluents of bathing water quality. Septic tanks can be retrofitted to MBR units. Package MBR plants for wastewater or grey water treatment are also available. Systems for decentralized treatment and reuse of domestic wastewater or grey water are also feasible for hotels, condominiums and apartment or office complexes. This paper presents the effluent qualities of different decentralized MBR applications. The high effluent quality allows infiltration even in sensitive areas or reuse for irrigation, toilet flushing and cleaning proposes in households. Due to the reusability of treated water and the possibility to design the systems for carbon reduction only, these systems can ideally and easily serve to close water and nutrient loops.

Integrated, Decentralized Wastewater Management for Resource Recovery in Rural and Peri-Urban Areas

“…Excess sludge production is also greatly reduced. Use of membrane systems in decentralized treatment of household (domestic) wastewater was described by several researchers [38,39]. When properly operated, MBRs have also shown the capability to effectively remove nutrients [40,41] and-to some degree-micropollutants [42].…”

Full-scale evaluation of aerobic/extended-idle regime inducing biological phosphorus removal and its integration with intermittent sand filter to treat domestic sewage discharged from highway rest area

“…Several methods, such as membrane bio-reactor [8,9], stabilization pond [10], and soil based treatment system [11,12], were employed to treat decentralised wastewaters in past years. Of these, soil based treatment technology seems to be a promising option, because it is not only simply-controlled but cost-effective.…”

Decentralized Systems

“…The antimicrobial mechanisms of nanoparticles were reviewed, with a discussion of their constraints and limitations and applicability for water disinfection and biofouling control, along with an outline of research needs for water treatment applications (Li, Mahendra, Lyon, Brunet, Liga, Li, et al, 2008). The effluent qualities of a decentralized wastewater treatment approach using membrane bioreactors (MBR) was described for different decentralized MBR applications (Meuler et al, 2008). A policy paper discussed the local environmental conditions, drivers, and constraints, and the public policy rationale of a water management master plan which included the reuse of treated wastewater for agricultural and non-potable reuse (Lopez and Vurro, 2008).…”