Membrane Bioreactors


An exciting area of membrane technology is their use in bioreactors because fresh nutrients can enter the system through a membrane while stale materials or desired products can leave.

It must be remembered that membrane processes do not strive for complete separation; as a product stream becomes concentrated while the feed stream becomes more dilute, the driving forces may not sustain acceptable rates. This means that not all of the product can be recovered. When the process is continuous, fresh production maintains the concentration driving force. Removal of inhibitory materials can keep the rate of production high.