Extractive membrane bioreactors: a new process technology for detoxifying chemical industry wastewaters

This paper describes an extractive membrane bioreactor developed to extract and biodegrade toxic organic pollutants present in chemical industry wastewaters. The technology is applicable to wastewaters emanating in organic synthesis operations which are not treatable by conventional 'direct' biological treatment due to extremes of pH, high salt contents, or otherwise hostile organic compositions, and also to wastewaters that contain volatile organic compounds. A laboratory scale prototype demonstrating the technology has been operated continuously over periods of several months, using industrially produced wastewaters. No pre-conditioning or dilution of the wastewaters is necessary prior to treatment, which removes and destroys over 99% of the toxic organics present.