An aerobic, submerged-filter membrane bioreactor was used to treat produced water from offshore oil reservoirs at up to 4.7 bpd. Despite the high salinity (2-5% total dissolved solids) and chemical oxygen demand (COD up to 50,000 mg/l), the produced water was effectively treated, with reductions of greater than 97% in COD, and greater than 99% for specific organic components.
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