Novel high-density dynamic membranes break the energy-space trade-off in next-generation membrane bioreactor systems (MBRs)

Yanqing Zhang; Yuxiang Liang; Ying Chen; Zhesong Zhou; Pingli Li; Dongqing Zhan; Chenxuan Lou; Yangcheng Ding; Yijing Xia; Wei Sun; Yao Feng; Jionghui Li; Huajun Feng

doi:10.59717/j.tiw.2026.100012

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Novel high-density dynamic membranes break the energy-space trade-off in next-generation membrane bioreactor systems (MBRs)

1.
School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
2.
College of Environment and Resources, College of Carbon Neutral, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Hangzhou 311300, China
3.
Zhejiang Bainuo Digital Intelligence Environmental Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou 310061, China
4.
Hangzhou Hua JIA Chi Environmental Protection Technology Engineering Co., Ltd., Hangzhou 310000, China
5.
Sino-Spain Joint Laboratory for Agricultural Environment Emerging Contaminants of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 311300, China
6.
These authors contributed equally

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Corresponding authors: fenghuajun@zafu.edu.cn (H.F.); Lijionghui@zafu.edu.cn (J.L.)
Received Date: April 10, 2026

Accepted Date: August 18, 2026

Published Online: August 18, 2026

The Innovation Water https://doi.org/10.59717/j.tiw.2026.100012 | Cite this article

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1. 73 h stable operation at 19 LMH, compared with 5 h for the initial operating period.
  
  Effluent turbidity fell below 10 NTU within 3 min and below 5 NTU within 30 min.
  
  Maximum tested CTDM flux reached 80 LMH, versus 15 LMH for the PVDF control.
  
  High-density geometry provided about 500 m^2·m^-3 membrane area and an estimated 47.3% CAPEX reduction.
  
  Pilot operation with municipal sewage verified technical feasibility.

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT

Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) are pivotal for advanced wastewater treatment, yet conventional ultrafiltration membranes face challenges of high cost, energy-intensive operation, and limited flux. The emerging dynamic membrane filtration technology in recent years addresses these limitations, but flat-sheet dynamic membranes still face challenges in engineering applications due to their large footprint. This study introduces a novel hollow fiber curtain-type dynamic membrane (CTDM) fabricated from polypropylene (PP), designed to overcome these limitations. At a flux of 19 L·m^-2·h^-1(LMH), the CTDM presents excellent hydraulic stability, with its steady operating duration extended 14 times (73 h vs. 5 h). It also achieves rapid turbidity removal: the effluent turbidity decreases to below 10 NTU within 3 minutes, drops below 5 NTU within 30 minutes, and further falls to less than 3 NTU within 60 minutes. Scale-up experiments using domestic sewage validated the technical feasibility of the CTDM. From an engineering economics perspective, the CTDM achieves 47.3% capital cost reduction compared to conventional MBR systems through enhanced space efficiency (500 m²·m^-3 vs. < 200 m²·m^-3 reactor volume). This study provides theoretical and practical support for the engineering application of dynamic membrane and is expected to promote the further development of MBR technology.
- Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) /
- Dynamic Membrane /
- High-Density /
- Hollow Fiber curtain-type /
- Techno-economic feasibility

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Zhang Y., Liang Y., Chen Y., et al. (2026). Novel high-density dynamic membranes break the energy-space trade-off in next-generation membrane bioreactor systems (MBRs). The Innovation Water 1:100012. https://doi.org/10.59717/j.tiw.2026.100012

Zhang Y., Liang Y., Chen Y., et al. (2026). Novel high-density dynamic membranes break the energy-space trade-off in next-generation membrane bioreactor systems (MBRs). The Innovation Water 1:100012. https://doi.org/10.59717/j.tiw.2026.100012

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Novel high-density dynamic membranes break the energy-space trade-off in next-generation membrane bioreactor systems (MBRs)

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

PUBLIC SUMMARY

ABSTRACT