Membrane bioreactors for wastewater treatment

Abstract Challenges on wastewater treatment are diversified and differ depending not only on legislations for effluent control but also on regional characteristics and socioeconomic conditions. Sewage sludge produced during wastewater treatment is excessive and needs to be appropriately treated. This wasted sludge is utilized or converted into 10% for application to agricultural lands; 13% for conversion into energy as a biogas, i.e., methane, by anaerobic digestion; 77% for disposal after dewatering, and incineration followed by landfill or without any appropriate treatment. Also, in a wastewater treatment facility, emission reduction is of importance. Sewerage utilities emit up to 7 million tons-CO2/year, accounting up to 0.5% of total CO2 emission. Not only CO2 but also nitrous oxide (N2O) emission warrants attention as a new target for mitigation. The current book chapter will focus on bioelectrochemical systems (BES) as a viable technology for production of bioelectricity and biohydrogen by integrating the options of biomass production and industrial effluent treatment. However, Microalgae-based bioelectrochemical systems also could be a viable technology for production of bioelectricity and biohydrogen by integrating the options of biomass production and industrial effluent treatment.