The MBR (membrane bioreactor) process makes use of an aeration tank similar to those used in conventional activated sludge plants, together with use of membrane filtration to treat the effluent from the aeration tank. MBR is the replacement of the tertiary treatment.
Space Requirement in MBR
An MBR process will have a smaller footprint than a conventional activated sludge process (not MBBR) treating the same wastewater flow. However, an MBR process will typically have higher operating and maintenance costs than a conventional activated sludge process.
Comparison of MBR Process with Conventional Activated Sludge
An MBR process produce a higher quality effluent than from a conventional activated sludge process
MLSS mixed liquor suspended solids concentration and the solids residence time (SRT) are not limited in MBR process to produce a sludge with good settling characteristics because final effluent is produced by filtration rather than by sedimentation
Thus, the MLSS and SRT can both be larger for MBR processes than the typical values used for conventional activated sludge.
Smaller aeration tank volume needed for an MBR process than that needed for conventional activated sludge treating the same flow.
Operating cost is high for MBR to keep the membranes from getting fouled increases operating costs over typical values for conventional activated sludge.
Higher aeration cost than that typically required for conventional activated sludge.
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