Review of Biological Processes in a Membrane Bioreactor (MBR): Effects of Wastewater Characteristics and Operational Parameters on Biodegradation Efficiency When Treating Industrial Oily Wastewater

Abstract

Oily wastewater is generated from various sources within the petrochemical industry, including extraction, refining and processing, storage, and transportation. Over the years, large volumes of oily wastewater from this industry have made their way into the environment, negatively affecting the environment, human health, and the economy. The raw waters from the petrochemical industry can differ significantly and have complex features, making them difficult to treat. Membrane bioreactors (MBR) are a promising treatment option for complex wastewater; it is a combined physical and biological treatment. The biological component of the MBR is one of the main contributing factors to its success. It is important to know how to control the parameters within the bioreactor to promote the biodegradation of hydrocarbons to improve the treatment efficiency of the MBR. There have been many reviews on the effects of the biological factors of membrane fouling; however, none have discussed the biodegradation process in an MBR and its impact on effluent quality. This review paper investigates the hydrocarbon biodegradation process in an aerobic MBR system by gathering and analyzing the recent academic literature to determine how oily wastewater characteristics and operational parameters affect this process.