The Membrane Bioreactor MBR (MBR) process uses an aeration tank similar to those used in conventional activated sludge processes, combined with membrane filtration as a replacement for secondary sedimentation. This combination can produce a very high quality effluent, typically with a more compact reactor than conventional activated sludge, but requires a higher rate of aeration than conventional activated sludge in order to keep the membranes from fouling.  The current typical MBR process configuration uses a membrane module submerged in the aeration tank.

This course includes discussion of process design calculations for the membrane module used in an MBR system, for an MBR aerationtank designed to provide BOD removal and nitrification, and for a pre-anoxic tank to go with an MBR BOD removal and nitrification system.

Upon completion of this course, the learner will:

• Be familiar with the components of and general configuration of an MBR wastewater treatment process
• Know the advantages and disadvantages of an MBR wastewater treatment process in comparison with a conventional activated sludge process
• Know the type of pretreatment typically required for an MBR wastewater treatment process
• Be able to carry out process design calculations to determine the required membrane area, membrane module volume, and scouring air flow rate for an MBR wastewater treatment system
• Be able to carry out process design calculations for a BOD removal/nitrification MBR process in order to determine the required aeration tank volume, sludge wasting rate, air flow rate, and alkalinity addition
• Be able to carry out process design calculations for a pre-anoxic denitrification MBR process in order to determine the required pre-anoxic tank volume, the reduced oxygen/air requirement, the reduced alkalinity requirement, the anoxic tank mixing power needed, and the sludge wasting rate.