Membrane bioreactors' potential for ethanol and biogas production: a review
Journal article, 2013

Companies developing and producing membranes for different separation purposes, as well as the market for these, have markedly increased in numbers over the last decade. Membrane and separation technology might well contribute to making fuel ethanol and biogas production from lignocellulosic materials more economically viable and productive. Combining biological processes with membrane separation techniques in a membrane bioreactor (MBR) increases cell concentrations extensively in the bioreactor. Such a combination furthermore reduces product inhibition during the biological process, increases product concentration and productivity, and simplifies the separation of product and/or cells. Various MBRs have been studied over the years, where the membrane is either submerged inside the liquid to be filtered, or placed in an external loop outside the bioreactor. All configurations have advantages and drawbacks, as reviewed in this paper. The current review presents an account of the membrane separation technologies, and the research performed on MBRs, focusing on ethanol and biogas production. The advantages and potentials of the technology are elucidated.

filtration

biogas

ethanol

membrane bioreactor

Author

Päivi Ylitervo

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Industrial biotechnology

Julius Akinbomi

Lagos State University

University of Borås

Mohammad Taherzadeh Esfahani

University of Borås

Environmental Technology (United Kingdom)

0959-3330 (ISSN) 1479-487X (eISSN)

Vol. 34 13-14 1711-1723

Subject Categories

Environmental Sciences

DOI

10.1080/09593330.2013.813559

More information

Latest update

3/8/2018 9