Membrane fouling issues in anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) for biogas production

Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (AnMBR) technology in recent years has been actively used for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment. Also, AnMBR technology has been considered as an alternative wastewater treatment application over conventional activated sludge system. AnMBRs are best possible operated with flat sheet, hollow fiber, or tubular membranes both in the microfiltration or in the ultrafiltration, but on ceramic membrane use has not been reported widely. AnMBRs are a desirable technology that needs additional research efforts and development. However, membrane fouling, which continues a major problem for all membrane bioreactors, seems much more serious under anaerobic than aerobic conditions. In this review, membrane fouling issues (including membrane fouling mechanism, classification, influent parameters, and mitigation) were discussed and summarized. Moreover, in fouling control, biogas sparging and recirculation (i.e. methane production) were addressed. Lastly, future research perspectives relating to its application and membrane fouling research are planned.