A system and process to protect chlorine-susceptible water treatment membranes from chlorine damage without the use of chemical scavengers employs a catalytic deoxygenation system located upstream of the chlorine-susceptible membranes. The system and process not only achieves the required oxygen discharge levels, via reaction of the oxygen with hydrogen, but also dechlorinates the water, via reaction of the chlorine species with hydrogen.

A system and process to protect chlorine-susceptible water treatment membranes from chlorine damage without the use of chemical scavengers employs a catalytic deoxygenation system located upstream of the chlorine-susceptible membranes. The system and process not only achieves the required oxygen discharge levels, via reaction of the oxygen with hydrogen, but also dechlorinates the water, via reaction of the chlorine species with hydrogen.

The present disclosure is directed toward membrane biofilm reactors primarily comprising microorganisms that produce chemical fuel products or precursors thereof. Reactors of the present disclosure can primarily comprise acetogens, a methanotrophs, and/or Methanosarcina acetivorans.

A desalination brine dispersal system for a submerged seawater desalination apparatus, the seawater desalination apparatus having submerged components comprising distillation equipment, evaporation equipment or separation membranes; one or more pumps; and a brine removal conduit. The brine removal conduit receives brine from the desalination apparatus, and has an upwardly-directed length and at least one fluid outlet that is at a lesser depth than the desalination apparatus components. They system disperses brine into seawater without causing pooling of brine on the seafloor, can avoid the formation of concentrated, high shear brine plumes, and can disperse brine into seawater over a wide area well away from the brine removal conduit.