Water re-use using a dual-stage membrane bioreactor for industrial effluent treatment

Abstract

Previous research described in WRC Report 1371/1/07 focused on the development of a novel operations strategy employing laboratory-scale MBRs for the treatment of wastewaters of industrial origin. This project investigated the application of this operations strategy in a pilot plant evaluation of a dsMBR for the on-site treatment and recovery of industrial trade effluent. The purpose of the evaluation was to determine if the use of membrane systems in combination with biological processes is a plausible method for wastewater treatment, recovery, and reuse in the trade industry sector. In addition, a primary component of the research was to assess the economic viability of using membrane technology for producing process water from industrial trade effluents, which traditionally are discharged without pre-treatment to the main municipal sewerage grid on a pay-to-pollute principle.