Treatment of textile wastewater with membrane bioreactor: A critical review

• Suitability of MBR for dye wastewater treatment is reviewed.
• MBR is suitable for end-of-pipe treatment compared to other processes.
• MBR combined with MF, UF, NF, MD can assist to recover dyes and reuse treated water.
• When RO is added to MBR, salts can be recovered.
• When FO/RO system is added to MBR, brine discharge from RO can be minimised.

Membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology has been used widely for various industrial wastewater treatments due to its distinct advantages over conventional bioreactors. Treatment of textile wastewater using MBR has been investigated as a simple, reliable and cost-effective process with a significant removal of contaminants. However, a major drawback in the operation of MBR is membrane fouling, which leads to the decline in permeate flux and therefore requires membrane cleaning. This eventually decreases the lifespan of the membrane. In this paper, the application of aerobic and anaerobic MBR for textile wastewater treatment as well as fouling and control of fouling in MBR processes have been reviewed. It has been found that long sludge retention time increases the degradation of pollutants by allowing slow growing microorganisms to establish but also contributes to membrane fouling. Further research aspects of MBR for textile wastewater treatment are also considered for sustainable operations of the process.

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