(176b) Membrane Aeration a Review

Currently wastewater treatment is extremely energy intensive and by some estimates accounts for approximately 2% of the electricity use in the USA. The installation of membranes in wastewater treatment plants to improve treated water quality tend to increase energy consumption. Novel approaches to reduce energy consumption in wastewater treatment are urgently needed. This paper will explore the benefits of membrane aeration for supplying biological processes with oxygen . The paper will also include discussion of the salient design issues and benefits as well as the challenges for implementation.