Membrane operations in wastewater treatment: complexation reactions coupled with membranes, pervaporation and membrane bioreactors

This chapter reviews some interesting applications of specific membrane operations in the field of wastewater treatment. In particular, techniques based on coupling membrane processes and appropriate complexing agents, supported liquid membranes (SLMs), pervaporation (PV) and membrane bioreactors (MBRs) are reviewed and discussed for their capacity to remove undesired compounds. Case studies referred to the treatment of ammoniacal etching solution by SLM, complexation-ultrafiltration coupled with soil washing for soil remediation, volatile organic compounds removal by PV and treatment of tannery wastewaters by MBRs are also presented and discussed.