AnMBR technology for landfill leachate treatment: a framework towards improved performance

Abstract

The Membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology enhances biomass retention with less residual sludge which is desirable for the treatment of strong wastewater such as landfill leachate. The technology has evolved to encompass anaerobic MBRs (AnMBRs) due to the benefit of producing renewable energy in the form of methane biogas and reducing the cost of aeration and sludge handling. This paper presents a critical review on the progress and application of the AnMBR technology for the treatment of landfill leachate in particular. We evaluate its performance and elaborate on potential operational limitations with emphasis on fouling and inhibitory factors that may suppress the development of microbial communities in AnMBR systems. We conclude by highlighting existing gaps and future directions and proposing a framework with a comprehensive experimental program towards improving the application of the AnMBR technology. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.