Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Publication
    Simulation studies of process scale membrane aerated biofilm reactor configurations
    (2007-01)
    In the membrane aerated biofilm reactor oxygen diffuses through the membrane into the biofilm where oxidation of pollutants, supplied from the biofilm side of the membrane takes place. Despite numerous studies at the laboratory scale showing the potential of the technology, efforts to scale-up the technology to process scale have been hampered by problems such as excessive biofilm growth and consequent flow distribution problems. This paper presents results of simulation studies which utilise Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to examine performance of several technical scale MABR design configurations. The simulations suggest that plate-and-frame membrane configuration with a suitable liquid inlet distributor will deliver superior performance compared to hollow fibre configuration with respect to liquid flow distribution.
      286
  • Publication
    Comparative economic analysis of full scale MABR configurations
    The membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) is a technology that can deliver oxygen at high rates and transfer efficiencies. This paper provides a comparative cost analysis of the MABR compared to the activated sludge process. Membrane cost and electricity cost were found to be the critical parameters determining the relative feasibility of the conventional process to the membrane based process. The general downward trend in the market price of membranes and the steady increase in energy costs in recent years may prove to be a strong driver for the further development of this technology.
      1650