Ceramic Membrane Bioreactors: Current Progress, Fouling Resistance, and Future Research Directions

The membrane bioreactor (MBR) process is a widely used method in wastewater (WW) treatment. It is frequently preferred in domestic and industrial WW treatment due to its easy integration with other treatment processes, low sludge production, operation with high biomass concentrations, and small footprint features. MBRs, which are generally used with polymeric membranes, can also be used with ceramic membranes, which have become increasingly popular in recent years. Ceramic membranes, which have higher mechanical and chemical strengths than polymeric membranes, are also more resistant to fouling. This review briefly discusses the fabrication techniques of ceramic membranes, which are reviewed, and next, MBRs integrated with different configurations of ceramic membranes were examined; their advantages and disadvantages were discussed and used in aerobic and anaerobic processes for domestic, municipal, and industrial WW. Moreover, the hybridization of ceramic-based MBRs with other treatment processes was investigated. The current studies in the literature were compiled, and a roadmap was developed for future studies with related challenges and perspectives.