Resource recovery with microbial electrochemical systems
Resource recovery with microbial electrochemical systems
Microbial electrochemical systems consist of microbial fuel cells (MFCs), microbial electrolysis cells, and microbial desalination cells. They use an anode immobilized with microorganisms to oxidize organic matters in the wastewater and produce electrons. As the energy generation from MFCs is limited, more and more attention has been directed to reducing energy demand for wastewater treatment, and using cathode reactions, anoxic or aerobic, for recovering resources from waste.In this chapter, single and mixed metal ions recovery from various sources and concentrations using abiotic and biocathode in a bioelectrochemical system (BES) has been reviewed. Simultaneous metal recovery and electric energy generation was possible for the metals with more positive reduction potential than copper (0.34V, standard hydrogen electrode). Electrodeposition electroprecipitation and biosorption are the main mechanisms for metal removal and recovery. Nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorous, removal and recovery have been discussed. Nitrogen recovery is mainly in the form of ammonia recovery, whereas phosphorous recovery is by forming struvite precipitation (MgNH4PO4·6H2O) by adding magnesium and ammonia at the cathode of BES.Electrochemical reduction of CO2 to produce various simple organic compounds is largely dependent on the catalysts chosen. With electrons/electric energy produced from microbial anode in BES, the overall energy for CO2 reduction can be reduced. Microbial electrosynthesis opens up a new avenue on synthesizing medium chain organic compounds with chain elongation process.BES combining waste treatment and extracting energy and recovering resources from waste is a promising technology for sustainable chemical and fuel production, and will have positive impact on the environment and society.
Bioelectrochemical systems, CO electrochemical reduction, Metal recovery, Microbial electrosynthesis, Nutrients: nitrogen and phosphorous
321-339
Yu, Eileen Hao
28e47863-4b50-4821-b80b-71fb5a2edef2
2015
Yu, Eileen Hao
28e47863-4b50-4821-b80b-71fb5a2edef2
Yu, Eileen Hao
(2015)
Resource recovery with microbial electrochemical systems.
In,
Microbial Electrochemical and Fuel Cells: Fundamentals and Applications.
Elsevier Inc., .
(doi:10.1016/B978-1-78242-375-1.00010-1).
Record type:
Book Section
Abstract
Microbial electrochemical systems consist of microbial fuel cells (MFCs), microbial electrolysis cells, and microbial desalination cells. They use an anode immobilized with microorganisms to oxidize organic matters in the wastewater and produce electrons. As the energy generation from MFCs is limited, more and more attention has been directed to reducing energy demand for wastewater treatment, and using cathode reactions, anoxic or aerobic, for recovering resources from waste.In this chapter, single and mixed metal ions recovery from various sources and concentrations using abiotic and biocathode in a bioelectrochemical system (BES) has been reviewed. Simultaneous metal recovery and electric energy generation was possible for the metals with more positive reduction potential than copper (0.34V, standard hydrogen electrode). Electrodeposition electroprecipitation and biosorption are the main mechanisms for metal removal and recovery. Nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorous, removal and recovery have been discussed. Nitrogen recovery is mainly in the form of ammonia recovery, whereas phosphorous recovery is by forming struvite precipitation (MgNH4PO4·6H2O) by adding magnesium and ammonia at the cathode of BES.Electrochemical reduction of CO2 to produce various simple organic compounds is largely dependent on the catalysts chosen. With electrons/electric energy produced from microbial anode in BES, the overall energy for CO2 reduction can be reduced. Microbial electrosynthesis opens up a new avenue on synthesizing medium chain organic compounds with chain elongation process.BES combining waste treatment and extracting energy and recovering resources from waste is a promising technology for sustainable chemical and fuel production, and will have positive impact on the environment and society.
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Published date: 2015
Keywords:
Bioelectrochemical systems, CO electrochemical reduction, Metal recovery, Microbial electrosynthesis, Nutrients: nitrogen and phosphorous
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Local EPrints ID: 498891
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/498891
PURE UUID: fc3670b5-f4e6-403d-80de-58f691b65b1b
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Date deposited: 04 Mar 2025 17:51
Last modified: 17 Sep 2025 02:19
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Author:
Eileen Hao Yu
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