| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Cano, Vitor
;
Nolasco, Marcelo A.
;
Kurt, Halil
;
Long, Chenghua
;
Cano, Julio
;
Nunes, Sabrina C.
;
Chandran, Kartik
Total Authors: 7
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | Science of The Total Environment; v. 869, p. 14-pg., 2023-01-31. |
| Abstract | |
Bioelectrochemical ammonia oxidation (BEAO) in a microbial fuel cell (MFC) isa recently discovered process that has the potential to reduce energy consumption in wastewater treatment. However, level of energy and limiting factors of this process in different microbial groups are not fully understood. This study comparatively investigated the BEAO in wastewater treatment by MFCs enriched with different functional groups of bacteria (confirmed by 16S rRNA gene se-quencing): electroactive bacteria (EAB), ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB), and anammox bacteria (AnAOB). Ammo-nia oxidation rates of 0.066, 0.083 and 0.082 g NH4+-N L-1 d-1 were achieved by biofilms enriched with EAB, AOB, and AnAOB, respectively. With infiuent 444 +/- 65 mg NH4+-N d-1, nitrite accumulation between 84 and 105 mg N d-1 was observed independently of the biofilm type. The AnAOB-enriched biofilm released electrons at higher poten-tial energy levels (anode potential of 0.253 V vs. SHE) but had high internal resistance (Rint) of 299 Omega, which limits its power density (0.2 W m-3). For AnAOB enriched biofilm, accumulation of nitrite was a limiting factor for power out-put by allowing conventional anammox activity without current generation. AOB enriched biofilm had Rint of 18 +/- 1 Omega and yielded power density of up to 1.4 W m-3. The activity of the AOB-enriched biofilm was not dependent on the accumulation of dissolved oxygen and achieved 1.5 fold higher coulombic efficiency when sulfate was not available. The EAB-enriched biofilm adapted to oxidize ammonia without organic carbon, with Rint of 19 +/- 1 Omega and achieved the highest power density of 11 W m-3. Based on lab-scale experiments (scaling-up factors not considered) energy savings of up to 7 % (AnAOB), 44 % (AOB) and 475 % (EAB) (positive energy balance), compared to conventional nitrification, are projected from the applications of BEAO in wastewater treatment plants. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 17/24524-0 - Development of microbial fuel cell prototype for bioeletricity production in wastes treatment |
| Grantee: | Marcelo Antunes Nolasco |
| Support Opportunities: | Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Regular Program Grants |
| FAPESP's process: | 19/06266-9 - Physicochemical characterisation of wastewater |
| Grantee: | Sabrina Candido Nunes |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Technical Training Program - Technical Training |
| FAPESP's process: | 17/10325-5 - Microbial fuel cell for the treatment of high organic load effluents: analysis of organic matter removal and generation of energy |
| Grantee: | Julio Cano |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation |