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A Novel Membrane Distillation-Thermophilic Bioreactor System: Biological Stability And Trace Organic Compound Removal, Kaushalya Wijekoon, Faisal Hai, Jinguo Kang, William Price, Wenshan Guo, Hao Ngo, Tzahi Cath, Long Nghiem

Faisal I Hai

The removal of trace organic compounds (TrOCs) by a novel membrane distillation-thermophilic bioreactor (MDBR) system was examined. Salinity build-up and the thermophilic conditions to some extent adversely impacted the performance of the bioreactor, particularly the removal of total nitrogen and recalcitrant TrOCs. While most TrOCs were well removed by the thermophilic bioreactor, compounds containing electron withdrawing functional groups in their molecular structure were recalcitrant to biological treatment and their removal efficiency by the thermophilic bioreactor was low (0-53%). However, the overall performance of the novel MDBR system with respect to the removal of total organic carbon, total nitrogen, and TrOCs …