Superior Removal of Disinfection Byproduct Precursors and Pharmaceuticals from Wastewater in a Staged Anaerobic Fluidized Membrane Bioreactor Compared to Activated Sludge

A recently developed, staged anaerobic fluidized membrane bioreactor (SAF-MBR) system has demonstrated performance comparable to that of conventional activated sludge systems at similar hydraulic residence times. The low biosolid generation rate, small footprint, and energy-positive potential (from captured methane) suggest the possible advantages of using the SAF-MBR upstream of advanced treatment for decentralized water reuse. Previous research conducted on laboratory-scale systems indicated that the SAF-MBR system is capable of removing pharmaceutical compounds. The purpose of this study was to compare the removals of disinfection byproduct precursors as well as pharmaceuticals by parallel pilot-scale SAF-MBR and full-scale aerobic systems treating municipal wastewater. Significantly better removals of antivirals (acyclovir and lamivudine), beta-blockers (atenolol, metoprolol, and propranolol), a beta-blocker aerobic biotransformation product (metoprolol acid), an anticonvulsant (carbamazepine), antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim), N-nitrosomorpholine, and the precursors of N-nitrosodimethylamine were obtained by the SAF-MBR system. Concentrations of trihalomethane precursors were lower in the SAF-MBR effluent in two of the three samplings.