Innovative Membrane Bioreactors for Advanced and Sustainable Wastewater Treatment

In the context of the circular economy and sustainability goals, there is a pressing need to recover valuable resources, such as clean water, biofuels, and biofertilizers, from wastewater. Membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology has emerged as a leading solution for advanced wastewater treatment, ensuring high removal efficiency for both conventional and emerging contaminants while also enhancing resource recovery. Despite the considerable advantages of MBRs over conventional treatment technologies, membrane fouling remains a significant challenge. This phenomena leads to increased energy consumption and the frequent need for physical and chemical cleanings, resulting in increased operating costs and indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Therefore, enhancing membrane fouling mitigation strategies can yield substantial benefits for efficient, sustainable, and carbon-neutral wastewater treatment. To tackle these challenges, the next-generation of MBRs must integrate advanced technologies. This study evaluates the performance of both conventional and novel MBRs in municipal wastewater treatment, focusing on the removal efficiency of both conventional and emerging contaminants, including microplastics, as well as membrane fouling propensity. Experimental activities utilized both conventional membranes alongside self-forming dynamic membranes (SFDMs), including the innovative Living Membrane® (LM®) technology. The findings demonstrate that the use of LM® effectively mitigate membrane fouling while maintaining comparable efficiency in contaminant removal to that of conventional membranes.