Global research trends on membrane biological reactor (MBR) for wastewater treatment and reuse from 1982 to 2013. A bibliometric analysis
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-07-2015-0113 |
| Published date | 07 November 2016 |
| Date | 07 November 2016 |
| Pages | 945-957 |
| Author | Jiaxin Li,Baogang Zhang,Ye Liu,Wenli Huang |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Information & communications technology,Internet |
Global research trends on
membrane biological reactor
(MBR) for wastewater treatment
and reuse from 1982 to 2013
A bibliometric analysis
Jiaxin Li, Baogang Zhang and Ye Liu
Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Evolution,
China University of Geosciences, Beijing, China
and School of Water Resources and Environment,
China University of Geosciences Beijing, Beijing, China, and
Wenli Huang
Doctoral Program in Life and Environmental Sciences,
University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
Abstract
Purpose – Membrane biological reactor (MBR) is recognized as an efcient and steady wastewater
treatment process. The purpose of this study is to reveal the research trends of scientic outputs on
MBR for the past 32 years.
Design/methodology/approach – A method of bibliometric analysis was performed, based on the
online version of the Science Citation Index Expanded, Web of Science, from 1982 to 2013. In total, 5,305
articles related to MBR were evaluated. A new method named “word cluster analysis” was also used for
further analysis.
Findings – Results showed a rising trend of publications in this research eld. English was the main
language used in these articles. Journal of membrane science published the most articles, proving to be
one of the most authoritative journals. China and Dalian University of Technology were the most
productive country and institute, respectively. Except for “membrane bioreactor” and “MBR”,
“membrane fouling” was the most cited keyword, indicating the research hotspot nowadays and future.
Originality/value – This study serves as an alternative and innovative way of revealing the research
trends in MBR research.
Keywords Biotechnology, Bibliometrics, Bibliometric analysis, Research trends,
Word cluster analysis
Paper type Research paper
This research work was supported by the Beijing Excellent Talent Training Project (No.
2013D009015000003) and the Beijing Higher Education Young Elite Teacher Project (No.
YETP0657).
Disclosure of potential conicts of interest: the authors declare that they have no conict of
interest.
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
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Membrane
biological
reactor
945
TheElectronic Library
Vol.34 No. 6, 2016
pp.945-957
©Emerald Group Publishing Limited
0264-0473
DOI 10.1108/EL-07-2015-0113
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