2. Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactors (AnMBRs) are a boon to energy positive wastewater treatment and provide a strong case for valuable resource recovery from wastes. The true value of these bioreactor systems is their ability to generate methane gas from municipal wastewater under ambient conditions whereby energy is captured rather than invested, to achieve wastewater treatment. Valuable co-products are generated such as a concentrated stream of ammonia-N, phosphorus either in the liquid phase or available as land applicable sludge fertilizer. More importantly, a valuable end product after AnMBR operation is indirect potable water for reuse. To date, no large scale trials have proven the ability to achieve energy positive wastewater treatment with AnMBRs under ambient conditions.

 

Dr. Parameswaran is currently involved in an ESTCP funded project initiative led by CDM Smith to operate a pilot scale AnMBR in continuous mode under ambient conditions at Ft. Riley, Kansas for a period of 18 months.