MBR and Sludge glossary (M)

M&E
Mechanical and electrical

m³/day
Metres cubed per day

MABR
Membrane aeration bioreactor

Macromolecules
Large, polymer-like molecules

Mass water flux
Mass of water evaporated per unit surface area of solids per unit time (kg m-2 s-1)

Maturation
Maturing of solution or suspension, for example a polymer solution prior to its use

MBBR
Moving bed bioreactor

MBfR
Membrane biofilm reactor

MBR
Membrane bioreactor

MCE
Mixed cellulose esters

MD
Membrane distillation

ME
Membrane extraction

Mechanical strength (of particle/floc)
Resistance of floc or particle to an imposed mechanical force, normally shear

Membrane bioreactor MBR
Biological reactor with membrane separation

Membrane thickener MT
Thickener based on membrane separation of sludge solids from the water

Mesophilic
Bacteria or processes favouring moderate temperatures (30−39 °C)

Methane/gas yield
The amount of methane gas product generated, expressed either as the mass of methane per unit mass of volatile solids, or as a percentage

Methanogenesis
Conversion of organic molecules to methane

MF
Microfiltration

MGD
Megagallons per day

Micropollutants
Pollutants present at low concentrations and resistant to biodegradation

Mineralised
Converted to mineral (i.e. inorganic products) such as carbon dioxide and nitrate

Mixed liquor suspended solids MLSS
Suspended solids content of the biological tank of the activated sludge process

MLD
Megalitres per day

MLE
Modified Ludzack-Ettinger (process)

MLVSS
Mixed liquor volatile suspended solids

Most probable number MPN
Statistical method for estimating the number of viable bacteria in a sample

MPE
Membrane performance enhancer

MT
Multitube

Multi-tray dryer
Conductive dryer based on vertically-stacked heated trays

Multiple hearth furnace
Reactor configuration for incineration based on vertically-stacked circular hearths

MW
Molecular weight

MWCO
Molecular weight cut-off