Removal of organic carbon and nitrogen in a membraneless flow-through microbial electrolysis cell

From National Research Council Canada

DOIResolve DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.enzmictec.2017.03.013
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Name affiliation
  1. National Research Council Canada. Energy, Mining and Environment
TypeArticle
Journal titleEnzyme and Microbial Technology
ISSN0141-0229
1879-0909
Volume102
Pages41–48
Subjectmicrobial electrolysis cell; flow-through; micro-aerobic; membraneless; nitrogen removal
Abstract
This study evaluated performance of an upflow membraneless microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) with flow-through electrodes for wastewater treatment. First, methane production and COD removal were evaluated in continuous flow experiments carried out using synthetic and municipal wastewater. A 29–75% increase in methane production was observed under bioelectrochemical conditions as compared to an anaerobic control. Next, simultaneous removal of COD and nitrogen was studied under microaerobic conditions created by continuous air injection to the anodic compartment of the MEC. While the presence of oxygen decreased Coulombic efficiency due to aerobic degradation of COD, enhanced ammonium removal with near zero nitrite and nitrate effluent concentrations was observed. Evidence of direct ammonium oxidation at the anode as well as nitrite and nitrate reduction at the cathode was obtained by comparing performances of MECs operated under anaerobic and microaerobic conditions with the control reactor operated at zero applied voltage.
Publication date
PublisherElsevier
LanguageEnglish
Peer reviewedYes
NPARC number23002164
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Record identifiere201634e-2ee6-424d-94ac-d40c66a94708
Record created2017-08-29
Record modified2017-08-29
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