Performance of the submerged membrane electro-bioreactor (SMEBR) with iron electrodes for wastewater treatment and fouling reduction

This paper presents the results of the performance of a novel technology called submerged membrane electro-bioreactor (SMEBR). The SMEBR treats wastewater by combining membrane filtration, electrokinetic phenomena, and biological processes in one reactor, and improves treatment performance while helping to control membrane fouling. The newly designed SMEBR system was based on applying an intermittent direct current (DC) field between immersed circular perforated electrodes around a membrane filtration module. The SMEBR system significantly reduced the fouling rate when iron worked as electrodes and an intermittent DC with an operational mode of 15 min ON–45 min OFF was applied. In terms of effluent quality, the SMEBR system enhanced the removal of COD and PO4-P up to 96% and 98%, respectively.

► This manuscript shows the results of performance of a novel technology called submerged membrane electro-bioreactor (SMEBR).
► The SMEBR system significantly reduced the fouling rate up to 16.3% when iron worked as electrodes and an intermittent DC with an operational mode of 15 min ON–45 min OFF was applied.
► In terms of effluent quality, the SMEBR system enhanced the removal of COD and PO4-P up to 96% and 98%, respectively.