MBR, MBBR and FBBR – Comparison of Wastewater Treatment Technologies (Article Part 2)

Watch part 1  HERE.

The comparison of the three systems show different advantages and disadvantages for industrial wastewater applications:

1. Effluent water quality: MBRs show in general a slightly better BOD removal than MBBRs or FBBRs. Very fine membranes can even hold back germs so that the water effluent quality is in general better.
2. Resistance to influent peaks and grease leaks: MBRs are very sensitive to changing influent values. Grease leaks will cause clogging of the fine membranes so that they must be cleaned or replaced. MBBRs are less sensitive as MBRs although the risk of fill media clogging is high in case of interrupted mixing and grease leaks. Instead, FBRs are very robust and show very good handling of either changing influent values, grease leaks and interrupted oxygen supply.
3. The difficulty level of operation: MBRs require monitoring of the activated sludge process as well as backwashing of the membranes in certain intervals. Therefore, their operation can be challenging and higher qualifications are necessary. MBBRs and FBRs are more forgiving and especially FBRs are easy to operate.
4. Required space: The higher MLSS level of MBRs allows more BOD removal per water volume. Therefore, their required space is lower compared to MBBRs and FBBRs.
5. Energy consumption: Due to Higher MLSS, permanent backwashing of the membrane and fouling prevention, MBRs need a high air volume thus have a high energy demand and cost. FBRs requires less energy as MBBRs because the air supply of the biofilm is installed directly underneath the fill media which results in better oxygen intake.
6. Overall cost: The installation costs for all three systems are about the same. However, over time MBRs are more expensive than MBBRs and FBBRs because of higher operational and maintenance costs. 

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Taxonomy

• Membrane Bioreactor Systems
• Membranes
• Membrane Technology
• UF membranes/cassettes for waste water treatment MBR
• fixed-bed technology
• Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR)
• Fixed bed