The application of membrane bioreactors for the depuration of wastewater coming from the washing of mineral oil storage tanks is described. Microfiltration hollow-fibre membranes were used in the submerged configuration. Filtration tests were carried out with a biomass concentration of about 15 g/L in order to assess the critical flux of the hollow fibre membrane used. Then particular care was taken in carrying out the performance runs in the sub-critical flux region. The reactor performance was very high, with removal efficiencies ranging between 93% and 97% also when the concentration of hydrocarbon was very high. Some kinetic parameters for the COD and the hydrocarbon removal were estimated.

• Bienati, B.(Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genoa, Italy)
• Bottino, A.(Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genoa, Italy)
• Comite, A.(Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genoa, Italy)
• Ferrari, F.(Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genoa, Italy)
• Firpo, R.(Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genoa, Italy)
• Capannelli, G(Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genoa, Italy) Corresponding author