Today, the need for pure water is a worldwide problem. Increasing water demand and decreasing supplies are making it difficult for both developing and advanced cities around the world to deliver continuous quality drinking water. As a result, the water treatment market has experienced rapid growth as countries around the world are constantly seeking ways to sustain available water sources, as well as find ways to use new water sources.
Among the various technologies available, when it comes to drinking water production, wastewater treatment and reuse, membrane technology is certainly in the spotlight.
The interest in membrane technology is not only driven by its ability to deliver high-quality drinking water to consumers regardless of the source, but also by the drastic reduction in the costs to refurbish or construct and operate membrane water and wastewater treatment facilities.
One of the most significant advances in membrane technology is the development and application of membrane bioreactors (MBRs) in wastewater treatment. MBR is a process that combines an aerobic biological process with an immersed membrane system. Over the past 10 years, this technology has emerged as an effective solution that can transform wastewater into high-quality effluent that can be discharged into the environment and increasingly into a reusable product, making it one of the key solutions for water sustainability.
According to a 2006 report by BCC Research titled, “Membrane Bioreactors in the Changing World Water Market,” the global MBR market reached $216.6 million in 2005. The report estimated that the market is rising at an average annual growth rate of 10.9% and is expected to approach $363 million in 2010, making it one of the fastest growing markets for wastewater treatment equipment and membrane treatment equipment in general.
Twice a year, Water & Wastes Digest’s Membrane Technology supplement offers selected technical and special focus articles that offer insight to the rapidly expanding membrane market.
In an effort to provide you with key applications and technology developments in the membrane market, the Spring 2008 issue of Membrane Technology features various articles and case studies on ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis, as well as a special focus on the effective use of MBRs in wastewater treatment.
We would also like to welcome readers’ feedback. Please contact us at wwdeditor@sgcmail.com and tell us what other membrane content you would like to see within the pages of Membrane Technology.
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