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Li Z, Li X. Treatment techniques and resource recovery of source-separated urine: a bibliometric analysis and literature review. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2024; 90:238-255. [PMID: 39007317 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2024.208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Human urine, which is high in nutrients, acts as a resource as well as a contaminant. Indiscriminate urine discharge causes environmental pollution and wastes resources. To elucidate the research status and developmental trajectory of source-separated urine (SSU) treatment and recovery, this study was based on the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database and used the bibliometric software VOSviewer and CiteSpace to conduct a comprehensive and in-depth bibliometric analysis of the related literature in this field. The findings revealed a general upward trend in SSU treatment and recovery from 2000 to 2023. The compendium of 894 scholarly articles predominantly focused on the disciplines of Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering, and Water Resources. China and the USA emerged as the foremost contributors. Keyword co-occurrence mapping, clustering, and burst analysis have shown that the recovery of nitrogen and phosphorus from urine is currently the main focus, with future prospects leaning toward the retrieval of biochemicals and chemical energy. This study systematically categorizes and compares the developmental status, current advancements, and research progress in this field. The findings of this study provide a valuable reference for understanding developmental pathways in this field of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhonghong Li
- Basin Research Center for Water Pollution Control, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing 10012, China; School Environment and Energy Engineering, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Xiaoguang Li
- Basin Research Center for Water Pollution Control, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing 10012, China E-mail:
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Zhang H, Duan L, Li S, Gao Q, Li M, Xing F, Zhao Y. Simultaneous Wastewater Treatment and Resources Recovery by Forward Osmosis Coupled with Microbial Fuel Cell: A Review. MEMBRANES 2024; 14:29. [PMID: 38392656 PMCID: PMC10890705 DOI: 10.3390/membranes14020029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Osmotic microbial fuel cells (OsMFCs) with the abilities to simultaneously treat wastewater, produce clean water, and electricity provided a novel approach for the application of microbial fuel cell (MFC) and forward osmosis (FO). This synergistic merging of functions significantly improved the performances of OsMFCs. Nonetheless, despite their promising potential, OsMFCs currently receive inadequate attention in wastewater treatment, water reclamation, and energy recovery. In this review, we delved into the cooperation mechanisms between the MFC and the FO. MFC facilitates the FO process by promoting water flux, reducing reverse solute flux (RSF), and degrading contaminants in the feed solution (FS). Moreover, the water flux based on the FO principle contributed to MFC's electricity generation capability. Furthermore, we summarized the potential roles of OsMFCs in resource recovery, including nutrient, energy, and water recovery, and identified the key factors, such as configurations, FO membranes, and draw solutions (DS). We prospected the practical applications of OsMFCs in the future, including their capabilities to remove emerging pollutants. Finally, we also highlighted the existing challenges in membrane fouling, system expansion, and RSF. We hope this review serves as a useful guide for the practical implementation of OsMFCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengliang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
- Basin Research Center for Water Pollution Control, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
- College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Liang Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
- Basin Research Center for Water Pollution Control, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Shilong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
- Basin Research Center for Water Pollution Control, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Qiusheng Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
- Basin Research Center for Water Pollution Control, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
- College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Mingyue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
- Basin Research Center for Water Pollution Control, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Fei Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
- Basin Research Center for Water Pollution Control, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
- Basin Research Center for Water Pollution Control, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
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Yuan X, Feng Y, Han C, Jiang Z, Li Y, Liu J. A novel approach for enhancing nitrogen and hydrogen recovery from urine in microbial electrochemical gas-permeable membrane system. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 867:161446. [PMID: 36621490 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Source-separated urine is a readily accessible nutrients dense waste stream that can be used to recover nitrogen and hydrogen. In the research, the microbial electrochemical gas-permeable membrane system (MEGS) is creatively introduced for urine treatment in removing organics, recovering the total ammonia nitrogen and high-value product of hydrogen (H2) as well as ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4). MEGS can simultaneously realize the functions of H2 recovery, in-situ efficient alkali production at the cathode, and the efficient absorption capacity of the gas-permeable membrane (GPM). Under the action of the urease enzyme, urea is hydrolyzed into large amounts of carbonic acid and ammonium, causing the pH (7.87 ± 0.13) and conductivity (5.44 ± 0.21 mS cm-1) of the anode to increase extremely rapidly. A large amount of NH4+ was transported to the cathode chamber under the strengthening effect of the electric field, enriched, and then absorbed to produce the high-quality (NH4)2SO4 to be recovered. The findings reveal that MEGS can achieve 100 % of urea removal, 88.52 ± 0.40 % of COD removal, 94.22 ± 2.57 % of nitrogen recovery, 0.58 ± 0.03 m3 m-3 d-1 of hydrogen yield, and 3.78 kg m-3 of (NH4)2SO4 production with 78.03 ± 3.51 % of coulombic efficiency during a 30-h cycle. A benefit of $18.29 can be achieved with the recovery of (NH4)2SO4 and H2 from 1 m3 of urine. The study presents a promising idea for the efficient nutrient-energy recovery and utilization of urine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaole Yuan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Academy of Environment and Ecology, Tianjin University, No. 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Yujie Feng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Academy of Environment and Ecology, Tianjin University, No. 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, No. 73 Huanghe Road, Nangang District, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Chunjiang Han
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Academy of Environment and Ecology, Tianjin University, No. 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Zhewen Jiang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Academy of Environment and Ecology, Tianjin University, No. 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Yunfei Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Academy of Environment and Ecology, Tianjin University, No. 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Jia Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Academy of Environment and Ecology, Tianjin University, No. 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China.
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Constantinescu-Aruxandei D, Oancea F. Closing the Nutrient Loop-The New Approaches to Recovering Biomass Minerals during the Biorefinery Processes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2096. [PMID: 36767462 PMCID: PMC9915181 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The recovery of plant mineral nutrients from the bio-based value chains is essential for a sustainable, circular bioeconomy, wherein resources are (re)used sustainably. The widest used approach is to recover plant nutrients on the last stage of biomass utilization processes-e.g., from ash, wastewater, or anaerobic digestate. The best approach is to recover mineral nutrients from the initial stages of biomass biorefinery, especially during biomass pre-treatments. Our paper aims to evaluate the nutrient recovery solutions from a trans-sectorial perspective, including biomass processing and the agricultural use of recovered nutrients. Several solutions integrated with the biomass pre-treatment stage, such as leaching/bioleaching, recovery from pre-treatment neoteric solvents, ionic liquids (ILs), and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) or integrated with hydrothermal treatments are discussed. Reducing mineral contents on silicon, phosphorus, and nitrogen biomass before the core biorefinery processes improves processability and yield and reduces corrosion and fouling effects. The recovered minerals are used as bio-based fertilizers or as silica-based plant biostimulants, with economic and environmental benefits.
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Martínez-Castrejón M, López-Díaz JA, Solorza-Feria O, Talavera-Mendoza O, Rodríguez-Herrera AL, Alcaraz-Morales O, Hernández-Flores G. Environmental, Economic, and Social Aspects of Human Urine Valorization through Microbial Fuel Cells from the Circular Economy Perspective. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:2239. [PMID: 36557539 PMCID: PMC9785870 DOI: 10.3390/mi13122239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Population growth increases the challenge of meeting basic human needs, such as water, a limited resource. Consumption habits and water pollution have compromised natural resources to unsustainable levels. Sustainable effluent treatment practices, such as decentralized systems focused on energy, nutrients, and water recovery, have attracted the attention of the scientific community. Human urine (HU) is a physiological liquid waste whose main component is water (~95%). HU has a significant amount of nutrients, such as N, P, K, and organic matter, which are usually lacking in fecal coliforms. Therefore, the possibility exists of recovering nutrients and energy from HU using sustainable and non-sustainable technologies. Treating HU in bioelectrochemical systems (BES) is a novel alternative to obtaining byproducts from this effluent more sustainably than in electrochemical systems. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are an interesting example, contributing to HU revalorization from unwanted waste into a valuable resource of nutrients, energy, and water. Even when urine-operated MFCs have not generated attractive potential outputs or produced considerable amounts of bioelectricity, this review emphasizes HU advantages as nutrients or water sources. The aim of this review was to analyze the current development of BES for HU treatment based on the water circular economy, discussing challenges and perspectives researchers might encounter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Martínez-Castrejón
- Centro de Ciencias de Desarrollo Regional, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Privada de Laurel No. 13, Col. El Roble, Acapulco C.P. 39640, Guerrero, Mexico
| | - Jazmin A. López-Díaz
- Escuela Superior de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Ex hacienda San Juan Bautista s/n, Taxco el Viejo C.P. 40323, Guerrero, Mexico
| | - Omar Solorza-Feria
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Department of Chemistry, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Delegación C.P. 07360, Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico
| | - Oscar Talavera-Mendoza
- Escuela Superior de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Ex hacienda San Juan Bautista s/n, Taxco el Viejo C.P. 40323, Guerrero, Mexico
| | - América L. Rodríguez-Herrera
- Centro de Ciencias de Desarrollo Regional, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Privada de Laurel No. 13, Col. El Roble, Acapulco C.P. 39640, Guerrero, Mexico
| | - Osbelia Alcaraz-Morales
- Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Av. Juárez No. 38 Interior. C.U. Zona Norte, Chilpancingo C.P. 39000, Guerrero, Mexico
| | - Giovanni Hernández-Flores
- CONACYT-Escuela Superior de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Ex Hacienda San Juan Bautista s/n, Taxco el Viejo C.P. 40323, Guerrero, Mexico
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Pandit C, Thapa BS, Srivastava B, Mathuriya AS, Toor UA, Pant M, Pandit S, Jadhav DA. Integrating Human Waste with Microbial Fuel Cells to Elevate the Production of Bioelectricity. BIOTECH 2022; 11:biotech11030036. [PMID: 35997344 PMCID: PMC9397044 DOI: 10.3390/biotech11030036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the continuous depletion of natural resources currently used for electricity generation, it is imperative to develop alternative energy sources. Human waste is nowadays being explored as an efficient source to produce bio-energy. Human waste is renewable and can be used as a source for an uninterrupted energy supply in bioelectricity or biofuel. Annually, human waste such as urine is produced in trillions of liters globally. Hence, utilizing the waste to produce bioenergy is bio-economically suitable and ecologically balanced. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) play a crucial role in providing an effective mode of bioelectricity production by implementing the role of transducers. MFCs convert organic matter into energy using bio-electro-oxidation of material to produce electricity. Over the years, MFCs have been explored prominently in various fields to find a backup for providing bioenergy and biofuel. MFCs involve the role of exoelectrogens which work as transducers to convert the material into electricity by catalyzing redox reactions. This review paper demonstrates how human waste is useful for producing electricity and how this innovation would be beneficial in the long term, considering the current scenario of increasing demand for the supply of products and shortages of natural resources used to produce biofuel and bioelectricity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chetan Pandit
- School of Basic Science and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida 201306, India
| | - Bhim Sen Thapa
- Department of Biological Sciences, WEHR Life Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA
- Correspondence: (B.S.T.); (S.P.); Tel.: +1-414-317-6474 (B.S.T.); +91-7044582668 (S.P.)
| | | | | | - Umair-Ali Toor
- Institute of Animal Life Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
| | - Manu Pant
- Department of Life Sciences, Graphic Era Deemed to Be University, Dehradun 248002, India
| | - Soumya Pandit
- School of Basic Science and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida 201306, India
- Correspondence: (B.S.T.); (S.P.); Tel.: +1-414-317-6474 (B.S.T.); +91-7044582668 (S.P.)
| | - Deepak-A. Jadhav
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, 727 Taejong-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan 49112, Korea
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Sabin JM, Leverenz H, Bischel HN. Microbial fuel cell treatment energy-offset for fertilizer production from human urine. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 294:133594. [PMID: 35031247 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a promising technology for simultaneous wastewater treatment and the biological conversion of organics to electrical energy. Yet effective MFC utilization of complex waste streams like human urine is limited by interference from high-strength organics (>5000 mg L-1 total organic carbon) and concentrated macronutrients (>500 mg L-1 nitrogen and phosphorus). This research assesses potential gains in MFC energy performance and organics treatment achieved by incorporating MFCs as a tertiary step in a human urine nutrient recovery system. The bioelectrochemical performance of benchtop-scale, low-cost MFCs was assessed using pre-treated human urine that was depleted in ammonium-nitrogen and phosphate (the "waste bottoms" of the urine nutrient recovery system). Performance of MFCs with waste bottoms as feedstock was compared to MFC performance with hydrolyzed real urine and synthetic urine as feedstocks. MFCs with waste bottoms produced 16.2 ± 14.8 mW mCat-2 (2.14 ± 1.95 W mCat-3), equivalent to 93% of the mean power density achieved by hydrolyzed urine after 32 days of operation. Coulombic efficiency over the full experimental runtime was 32.3 ± 4.1% higher for waste bottoms than urine. Waste bottoms helped avoid fouling of the ceramic membrane separator that occurs with urea hydrolysis and phosphate precipitation from urine. Enhanced ion separation was also observed, producing neutral pH in the anolyte and high pH (11.5) and electrical conductivity (25 dS m-1) in the catholyte. While several gains in performance were observed when using waste bottoms as feedstock, anolyte organics removal decreased 36.5% in MFCs with waste bottoms. This research indicates that pretreatment of source-separated urine via nutrient removal improves MFC electrical power generation and ion separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne M Sabin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Harold Leverenz
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Heather N Bischel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
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Sharma R, Kumari R, Pant D, Malaviya P. Bioelectricity generation from human urine and simultaneous nutrient recovery: Role of Microbial Fuel Cells. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 292:133437. [PMID: 34973250 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Urine is a 'valuable waste' that can be exploited to generate bioelectricity and recover key nutrients for producing NPK-rich biofertilizers. In recent times, improved and innovative waste management technologies have emerged to manage the rapidly increasing environmental pollution and to accomplish the goal of sustainable development. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have attracted the attention of environmentalists worldwide to treat human urine and produce power through bioelectrochemical reactions in presence of electroactive bacteria growing on the anode. The bacteria break down the complex organic matter present in urine into simpler compounds and release the electrons which flow through an external circuit generating current at the cathode. Many other useful products are harvested at the end of the process. So, in this review, an attempt has been made to synthesize the information on MFCs fuelled with urine to generate bioelectricity and recover value-added resources (nutrients), and their modifications to enhance productivity. Moreover, configuration and mode of system operation, and factors enhancing the performance of MFCs have been also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rozi Sharma
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Jammu, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Rekha Kumari
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Jammu, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Deepak Pant
- Separation & Conversion Technology, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, Mol, 2400, Belgium
| | - Piyush Malaviya
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Jammu, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
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Agudelo-Escobar LM, Cabrera SE, Avignone Rossa C. A Bioelectrochemical System for Waste Degradation and Energy Recovery From Industrial Coffee Wastewater. FRONTIERS IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fceng.2022.814987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The primary production of coffee involves the extensive use of water resources, since it is not only used for irrigation of coffee plantations, but it is also required in large volumes for the processing of the coffee berry to obtain high quality green beans. It is calculated that for every kg of dry coffee grain produced, up to 40 L of water are consumed, and its disposal represents a significant environmental problem, since most coffee growers are small producers with no access to efficient technologies for wastewater treatment. This situation leads to these liquid wastes to be discarded untreated in natural water sources, generating environmental pollution and public health problems. Bioelectrochemical Systems (BES) have been proposed as an alternative to conventional wastewater treatments, either as a primary bioremediation strategy or for secondary wastewater treatment systems. Among BES, microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are designed to exploit the metabolic capability of andophilic microorganisms to degrade the organic matter present in the waste. Anodophilic microorganisms use electrodes as terminal electron acceptors, generating a flow of electrons that can be used in the generation of electricity. In this work, we evaluated the ability of native microbial communities to degrade the organic matter present in wastewater from the coffee agroindustry and its electrogenic potential for the co-generation of electricity was evaluated using an MFC device developed by the authors. Wastewater samples obtained at different stages of the coffee wet process were used as inoculum and feedstocks. The system was operated in fed-batch, in both open and closed-circuit conditions, for 60 days. The degree of decontamination or bioremediation of the wastewater was assessed by measurements of physicochemical parameters. For the characterization of the native microbial community, microscopic and molecular techniques were used and the electrogenic potential was established by assessing the electrochemical performance of the system. With the proposed bioelectrochemical system, a reduction of up to 70% of the initial content of organic matter of the residual water from the coffee benefit was achieved, and open circuit voltages of up to 400 mV were recorded, comparable to those reported for conventional air breathing cathode MFC.
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Yu C, Yin W, Yu Z, Chen J, Huang R, Zhou X. Membrane technologies in toilet urine treatment for toilet urine resource utilization: a review. RSC Adv 2021; 11:35525-35535. [PMID: 35493188 PMCID: PMC9043190 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra05816a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane technologies have broad potential in methods for separating, collecting, storing, and utilizing urine collected from toilets. Recovering urine from toilets for resource utilization instead of treating it in a sewage treatment plant not only reduces extra energy consumption for the degradation of N and P but also saves energy in chemical fertilizer production, which will contribute to carbon emission reduction of 12.19-17.82 kg kgN -1 in terms of N alone. Due to its high efficiency in terms of volume reduction, water recycling, nutrient recovery, and pollutant removal, membrane technology is a promising technology for resource utilization from urine collected from toilets. In this review, we divide membrane technologies for resource utilization from urine collected from toilets into four categories based on the driving force: external pressure-driven membrane technology, vapor pressure-driven membrane technology, chemical potential-driven membrane technology, and electric field-driven membrane technology. These technologies influence factors such as: recovery targets and mechanisms, reaction condition optimization, and process efficiency, and these are all discussed in this review. Finally, a toilet with source-separation is suggested. In the future, membrane technology research should focus on the practical application of source-separation toilets, membrane fouling prevention, and energy consumption evaluation. This review may provide theoretical support for the resource utilization of urine collected from toilets that is based on membrane technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengzhi Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University Shanghai 200092 China +86-21-6598-2693
| | - Wenjun Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University Shanghai 200092 China +86-21-6598-2693
| | - Zhenjiang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University Shanghai 200092 China +86-21-6598-2693
| | - Jiabin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University Shanghai 200092 China +86-21-6598-2693
| | - Rui Huang
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University Hangzhou 310053 China
| | - Xuefei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University Shanghai 200092 China +86-21-6598-2693
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Tongji University Shanghai 200092 China
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11
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Effect of substrate ratios on the simultaneous carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorous conversions in microbial fuel cells. Heliyon 2021; 7:e07338. [PMID: 34195439 PMCID: PMC8233142 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The columbic efficiency, removal efficiency and voltage production of seven different combinations of carbon (acetic acid, albumin and sucrose) with nutrients (C:N, C:P, C:S, C:N:S, C:P:S, C:N:P and C: N:S:P) were investigated at three different ratios (20:1, 15:1 and 10:1). The effects of various pH values were also explored for these combinations of carbon, and sulfur compounds (pH 6-8). The highest columbic efficiency (75.8%), COD removal efficiency (86%) and voltage (667 mV) were recorded when the acetic acid was used in the MFC and the lowest columbic efficiency (12.8%), removal efficiency (37.6%) and voltage (145 mV) were observed in case of albumin. A marked increase in columbic efficiency, removal efficiency and voltage production were seen with the rise in the pH value from 6 to 8. The lowest columbic efficiency, removal efficiency and voltage production were seen at pH 6 and highest at pH 8. At each investigated pH, the highest removal efficiency, columbic efficiency, and voltage were found at substrate ratio of 20:1 while lower at 10:1. At all pH values, the carbon to nutrient ratios seemed to have followed a similar trend i.e., the COD removal efficiency, columbic efficiency and voltage generation was found in the order C:N > C:N:S > C:N:S:P > C:N:P > C:S > C:P:S > C:P. In all cases, nitrogen showed a higher removal as compared to phosphorous and sulfur.
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Yang N, Liu H, Jin X, Li D, Zhan G. One-pot degradation of urine wastewater by combining simultaneous halophilic nitrification and aerobic denitrification in air-exposed biocathode microbial fuel cells (AEB-MFCs). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 748:141379. [PMID: 32798873 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Urine wastewater is used as fuel in microbial fuel cells to generate power for several applications. However, the knowledge on the removal efficiencies of pollutants and bacterial composition of electrode biofilm is still lacking. In this study, two air-exposed biocathode microbial fuel cells (AEB-MFCs) were constructed and some nitrogen-removing consortium were inoculated to fabricate multifunctional AEBs for urine treatment and energy recovery. Results demonstrated that urine wastewater can be degraded through one-pot degradation without positive aeration. The removal efficiencies of NH4+-N, total nitrogen and chemical oxygen demand reached 86.8% ± 1.5%, 62.7% ± 2.3%, and 52.7% ± 1.6% respectively. Cyclic voltammetry illustrated several catalytic activities related to C/N metabolism occurred in both biofilms and varied with the operation continuing in a single stable cycle. In addition, the community structure analysis revealed that many active microorganisms, including nitrogen-removing bacteria, heterotrophs, and electrochemically active bacteria were enriched in both electrodes, especially many halophilic nitrifiers/denitrifiers occupied in AEBs and directed the system toward the integrated pathways of halophilic nitrogen removal and energy recovery. This study presented a novel method for the energy conversion and effective degradation of urine, which can serve as a promising technology for urine wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuan Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China; Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Hong Liu
- Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Reservoir Aquatic Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Xiaojun Jin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Reservoir Aquatic Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Daping Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Guoqiang Zhan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Environmental and Applied Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China.
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Jadhav DA, Das I, Ghangrekar MM, Pant D. Moving towards practical applications of microbial fuel cells for sanitation and resource recovery. JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2020.101566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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14
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Prudente M, Massazza DA, Busalmen JP, Romeo HE. Urine dilution with a synthetic wastewater (Syntho) boosts the electricity production in a bio-electrochemical system powered by un-pretreated human urine. Bioelectrochemistry 2020; 137:107639. [PMID: 32942188 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2020.107639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Human urine can be turned into electricity in bio-electrochemical systems. The acclimation of electro-active bacteria to culture media with increasing urine concentrations has led to raising the obtained current densities, which typically followed a Monod-like evolution profile as a function of urine concentration. However, the acclimation protocol has been so far evaluated using pretreated urine samples (fermented or precipitated), not raw (un-pretreated) urine. We demonstrate that, when un-pretreated urine is used, the microbial adaptation to increasingly concentrated urine leads to a current density profile that does not reach a saturation-like phase, but follows a Han/Levenspiel-type trend (bell-shaped). By diluting un-pretreated urine with a synthetic domestic wastewater (Syntho) up to concentrations matching those of the maximum in the Han/Levenspiel-like current profile (15-20% v/v) it is possible to avoid the drop in the electro-active response, generating anodic current densities as high as 3.6 ± 0.2 A.m-2 (per actual surface area), 35-fold higher than those reached in pure un-pretreated urine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariano Prudente
- División Polímeros Nanoestructurados, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales (INTEMA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Diego A Massazza
- División Ingeniería de Interfases y Bio-procesos, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales (INTEMA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Juan P Busalmen
- División Ingeniería de Interfases y Bio-procesos, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales (INTEMA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Hernán E Romeo
- División Polímeros Nanoestructurados, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales (INTEMA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina.
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Nazari S, Zinatizadeh AA, Mirghorayshi M, van Loosdrecht MC. Waste or Gold? Bioelectrochemical Resource Recovery in Source-Separated Urine. Trends Biotechnol 2020; 38:990-1006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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16
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17
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Guo Y, Wang J, Shinde S, Wang X, Li Y, Dai Y, Ren J, Zhang P, Liu X. Simultaneous wastewater treatment and energy harvesting in microbial fuel cells: an update on the biocatalysts. RSC Adv 2020; 10:25874-25887. [PMID: 35518611 PMCID: PMC9055303 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra05234e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of microbial fuel cell (MFC) makes it possible to generate clean electricity as well as remove pollutants from wastewater. Extensive studies on MFC have focused on structural design and performance optimization, and tremendous advances have been made in these fields. However, there is still a lack of systematic analysis on biocatalysts used in MFCs, especially when it comes to pollutant removal and simultaneous energy recovery. In this review, we aim to provide an update on MFC-based wastewater treatment and energy harvesting research, and analyze various biocatalysts used in MFCs and their underlying mechanisms in pollutant removal as well as energy recovery from wastewater. Lastly, we highlight key future research areas that will further our understanding in improving MFC performance for simultaneous wastewater treatment and sustainable energy harvesting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajing Guo
- Tianjin Key Lab. of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University Tianjin 300354 PR China
| | - Jiao Wang
- Tianjin Key Lab. of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University Tianjin 300354 PR China
| | - Shrameeta Shinde
- Department of Microbiology, Miami University Oxford OH 45056 USA
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Miami University Oxford OH 45056 USA
| | - Yang Li
- Tianjin Key Lab. of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University Tianjin 300354 PR China
| | - Yexin Dai
- Tianjin Key Lab. of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University Tianjin 300354 PR China
| | - Jun Ren
- Tianjin Key Lab. of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University Tianjin 300354 PR China
| | - Pingping Zhang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin Agricultural University Tianjin 300384 PR China
| | - Xianhua Liu
- Tianjin Key Lab. of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University Tianjin 300354 PR China
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Santoro C, Garcia MJS, Walter XA, You J, Theodosiou P, Gajda I, Obata O, Winfield J, Greenman J, Ieropoulos I. Urine in Bioelectrochemical Systems: An Overall Review. ChemElectroChem 2020; 7:1312-1331. [PMID: 32322457 PMCID: PMC7161917 DOI: 10.1002/celc.201901995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, human urine has been successfully used as an electrolyte and organic substrate in bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) mainly due of its unique properties. Urine contains organic compounds that can be utilised as a fuel for energy recovery in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and it has high nutrient concentrations including nitrogen and phosphorous that can be concentrated and recovered in microbial electrosynthesis cells and microbial concentration cells. Moreover, human urine has high solution conductivity, which reduces the ohmic losses of these systems, improving BES output. This review describes the most recent advances in BESs utilising urine. Properties of neat human urine used in state-of-the-art MFCs are described from basic to pilot-scale and real implementation. Utilisation of urine in other bioelectrochemical systems for nutrient recovery is also discussed including proofs of concept to scale up systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Santoro
- Bristol BioEnergy CentreBristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWEColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1QYUK
| | - Maria Jose Salar Garcia
- Bristol BioEnergy CentreBristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWEColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1QYUK
| | - Xavier Alexis Walter
- Bristol BioEnergy CentreBristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWEColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1QYUK
| | - Jiseon You
- Bristol BioEnergy CentreBristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWEColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1QYUK
| | - Pavlina Theodosiou
- Bristol BioEnergy CentreBristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWEColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1QYUK
| | - Iwona Gajda
- Bristol BioEnergy CentreBristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWEColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1QYUK
| | - Oluwatosin Obata
- Bristol BioEnergy CentreBristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWEColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1QYUK
| | - Jonathan Winfield
- Bristol BioEnergy CentreBristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWEColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1QYUK
| | - John Greenman
- Bristol BioEnergy CentreBristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWEColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1QYUK
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, UWEColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1QYUK
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy CentreBristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, UWEColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1QYUK
- Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, UWEColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1QYUK
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Gajda I, Greenman J, Ieropoulos I. Microbial Fuel Cell stack performance enhancement through carbon veil anode modification with activated carbon powder. APPLIED ENERGY 2020; 262:114475. [PMID: 32201452 PMCID: PMC7074012 DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.114475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/28/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The chemical energy contained in urine can be efficiently extracted into direct electricity by Microbial Fuel Cell stacks to reach usable power levels for practical implementation and a decentralised power source in remote locations. Herein, a novel type of the anode electrode was developed using powdered activated carbon (PAC) applied onto the carbon fibre scaffold in the ceramic MFC stack to achieve superior electrochemical performance during 500 days of operation. The stack equipped with modified anodes (MF-CV) produced up to 37.9 mW (21.1 W m-3) in comparison to the control (CV) that reached 21.4 mW (11.9 W m-3) showing 77% increase in power production. The novel combination of highly porous activated carbon particles applied onto the conductive network of carbon fibres promoted simultaneously electrocatalytic activity and increased surface area, resulting in excellent power output from the MFC stack as well as higher treatment rate. Considering the low cost and simplicity of the material preparation, as well as the outstanding electrochemical activity during long term operation, the resulting modification provides a promising anode electrocatalyst for high-performance MFC stacks to enhance urine and waste treatment for the purpose of future scale-up and technology implementation as an applied off-grid energy source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Gajda
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
| | - John Greenman
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
- Department of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK
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20
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Li N, Wan Y, Wang X. Nutrient conversion and recovery from wastewater using electroactive bacteria. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 706:135690. [PMID: 31784166 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater is widely recognized as a sink of active nitrogen and phosphorus, and the recovery of both nutrients as fertilizers is widely studied in recent years. Electroactive bacteria increasingly attract attentions in this area because they are able to produce an electric field in microbial electrochemical systems to concentrate ammonium and phosphate for recovery. Importantly, these unique bacteria are able to convert nitrate and nitrite directly to ammonium, maximizing the active nitrogen species capable of recovery. Ferric ions produced by electroactive bacteria can be precipitated with phosphate to recover as vivianite in neutral wastewaters. All these processes employed electroactive bacteria as both nitrate and iron reducer and bioelectric field generator. The mechanism as well as technologies are summarized, and the challenges to further improve their performance are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, No. 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Yuxuan Wan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Xin Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China.
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21
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Ye Y, Ngo HH, Guo W, Chang SW, Nguyen DD, Liu Y, Ni BJ, Zhang X. Microbial fuel cell for nutrient recovery and electricity generation from municipal wastewater under different ammonium concentrations. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2019; 292:121992. [PMID: 31430674 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.121992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, a dual-compartment microbial fuel cell (MFC) was constructed and continuously operated under different influent concentrations of ammonium-nitrogen (5-40 mg/L). The impacts of ammonium on organics removal, energy output and nutrient recovery were investigated. Experimental results demonstrated that this MFC reactor achieved a CDO removal efficiency of greater than 85%. Moreover, excess ammonium concentration in the feed solution compromises the generation of electricity. Simultaneously, the recovery rate of phosphate achieved in the MFC was insignificantly influenced at the wider influent ammonium concentration. In contrast, a high concentration of ammonium may not be beneficial for its recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyao Ye
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Huu Hao Ngo
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - Wenshan Guo
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Soon Woong Chang
- Department of Environmental Energy and Engineering, Kyonggi University, 442-760, Republic of Korea
| | - Dinh Duc Nguyen
- Department of Environmental Energy and Engineering, Kyonggi University, 442-760, Republic of Korea
| | - Yiwen Liu
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Bing-Jie Ni
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Xinbo Zhang
- Joint Research Centre for Protective Infrastructure Technology and Environmental Green Bioprocess, School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
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23
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Zhou X, Li Z, Zheng T, Yan Y, Li P, Odey EA, Mang HP, Uddin SMN. Review of global sanitation development. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 120:246-261. [PMID: 30103124 PMCID: PMC6192828 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.07.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The implementation of the United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has resulted in an increased focus on developing innovative, sustainable sanitation techniques to address the demand for adequate and equitable sanitation in low-income areas. We examined the background, current situation, challenges, and perspectives of global sanitation. We used bibliometric analysis and word cluster analysis to evaluate sanitation research from 1992 to 2016 based on the Science Citation Index EXPANDED (SCI-EXPANDED) and Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) databases. Our results show that sanitation is a comprehensive field connected with multiple categories, and the increasing number of publications reflects a strong interest in this research area. Most of the research took place in developed countries, especially the USA, although sanitation problems are more serious in developing countries. Innovations in sanitation techniques may keep susceptible populations from contracting diseases caused by various kinds of contaminants and microorganisms. Hence, the hygienization of human excreta, resource recovery, and removal of micro-pollutants from excreta can serve as effective sustainable solutions. Commercialized technologies, like composting, anaerobic digestion, and storage, are reliable but still face challenges in addressing the links between the political, social, institutional, cultural, and educational aspects of sanitation. Innovative technologies, such as Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs), Microbial Electrolysis Cells (MECs), and struvite precipitation, are at the TRL (Technology readiness levels) 8 level, meaning that they qualify as "actual systems completed and qualified through test and demonstration." Solutions that take into consideration economic feasibility and all the different aspects of sanitation are required. There is an urgent demand for holistic solutions considering government support, social acceptability, as well as technological reliability that can be effectively adapted to local conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqin Zhou
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Zifu Li
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Tianlong Zheng
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 18 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100085, China.
| | - Yichang Yan
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Pengyu Li
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 18 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19(A) Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Emmanuel Alepu Odey
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Heinz Peter Mang
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Sayed Mohammad Nazim Uddin
- Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Victoria, PO Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
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Wang YS, Tong ZH, Wang LF, Sheng GP, Yu HQ. Effective flocculation of Microcystis aeruginosa with simultaneous nutrient precipitation from hydrolyzed human urine. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 193:472-478. [PMID: 29156332 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.11.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical harvest of massive harmful algal blooms is an effective measure for bloom mitigation. Yet subsequent processing of the resulting water from algae water separation after the harvesting becomes a new problem since individual algal cells or small algal aggregates are still present in the water. Here, we proposed a novel approach for effectively flocculating the cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa with a removal efficiency of 97% in 6 h using hydrolyzed urine. Nitrogen and phosphorus were simultaneously reclaimed through struvite formation. The addition of Mg2+ promoted the flocculation efficiency and nutrient removal as well as the yield of struvite. Ca2+ could enhance the flocculation efficiency by forming calcium phosphate. During the flocculation process, no significant damage in algal cells was observed. This study provides a novel and sustainable potential for subsequent processing of the resulting water after algae water separation with simultaneous nutrient precipitation and reducing nutrient loads to wastewater treatment plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Shan Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Chemistry, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Zhong-Hua Tong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Chemistry, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
| | - Long-Fei Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Chemistry, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Guo-Ping Sheng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Chemistry, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Han-Qing Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Chemistry, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
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Teymouri A, Stuart BJ, Kumar S. Hydroxyapatite and dittmarite precipitation from algae hydrolysate. ALGAL RES 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2017.11.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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In situ utilization of generated electricity for nutrient recovery in urine treatment using a selective electrodialysis membrane bioreactor. Chem Eng Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Cow's urine as a yellow gold for bioelectricity generation in low cost clayware microbial fuel cell. ENERGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2016.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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28
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A urine/Cr(VI) fuel cell — Electrical power from processing heavy metal and human urine. J Electroanal Chem (Lausanne) 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2016.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Walter XA, Gajda I, Forbes S, Winfield J, Greenman J, Ieropoulos I. Scaling-up of a novel, simplified MFC stack based on a self-stratifying urine column. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2016; 9:93. [PMID: 27168763 PMCID: PMC4862055 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-016-0504-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a technology in which microorganisms employ an electrode (anode) as a solid electron acceptor for anaerobic respiration. This results in direct transformation of chemical energy into electrical energy, which in essence, renders organic wastewater into fuel. Amongst the various types of organic waste, urine is particularly interesting since it is the source of 75 % of the nitrogen present in domestic wastewater despite only accounting for 1 % of the total volume. However, there is a persistent problem for efficient MFC scale-up, since the higher the surface area of electrode to volume ratio, the higher the volumetric power density. Hence, to reach usable power levels for practical applications, a plurality of MFC units could be connected together to produce higher voltage and current outputs; this can be done by combinations of series/parallel connections implemented both horizontally and vertically as a stack. This plurality implies that the units have a simple design for the whole system to be cost-effective. The goal of this work was to address the built configuration of these multiple MFCs into stacks used for treating human urine. RESULTS We report a novel, membraneless stack design using ceramic plates, with fully submerged anodes and partially submerged cathodes in the same urine solution. The cathodes covered the top of each ceramic plate whilst the anodes, were on the lower half of each plate, and this would constitute a module. The MFC elements within each module (anode, ceramic, and cathode) were connected in parallel, and the different modules connected in series. This allowed for the self-stratification of the collective environment (urine column) under the natural activity of the microbial consortia thriving in the system. Two different module sizes were investigated, where one module (or box) had a footprint of 900 mL and a larger module (or box) had a footprint of 5000 mL. This scaling-up increased power but did not negatively affect power density (≈12 W/m(3)), a factor that has proven to be an obstacle in previous studies. CONCLUSION The scaling-up approach, with limited power-density losses, was achieved by maintaining a plurality of microenvironments within the module, and resulted in a simple and robust system fuelled by urine. This scaling-up approach, within the tested range, was successful in converting chemical energy in urine into electricity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Alexis Walter
- />Bristol BioEnergy Centre (B-BiC), Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, Frenchay Campus, University of the West of England, Bristol, BS16 1QY UK
| | - Iwona Gajda
- />Bristol BioEnergy Centre (B-BiC), Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, Frenchay Campus, University of the West of England, Bristol, BS16 1QY UK
| | - Samuel Forbes
- />Bristol BioEnergy Centre (B-BiC), Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, Frenchay Campus, University of the West of England, Bristol, BS16 1QY UK
| | - Jonathan Winfield
- />Bristol BioEnergy Centre (B-BiC), Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, Frenchay Campus, University of the West of England, Bristol, BS16 1QY UK
| | - John Greenman
- />Microbiology Research Laboratory, Department of Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Frenchay Campus, University of the West of England, Bristol, BS16 1QY UK
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- />Bristol BioEnergy Centre (B-BiC), Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, Frenchay Campus, University of the West of England, Bristol, BS16 1QY UK
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30
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Shreeram DD, Hassett DJ, Schaefer DW. Urine-powered microbial fuel cell using a hyperpiliated pilT mutant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2015; 43:103-7. [PMID: 26660316 DOI: 10.1007/s10295-015-1716-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 11/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This report documents the first observation of a urine-powered microbial fuel cell operating with a genetically engineered bacterial strain. Under identical conditions, a pilT mutant of the Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed a 2.7-fold increase in peak power density compared to the wild-type strain, PAO1. The reduced twitching motility and hyperpiliation of the pilT mutant enhances the formation of electrogenic biofilms. For both strains, the observed high internal resistance near open-circuit voltage is attributed to sluggish redox reactions on the anode surface and not to slow bacterial metabolism. This work lays the groundwork for optimization of multiple bacterial traits leading to increased electroactive properties and opens new opportunities for urine-based mini-devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devesh Dadhich Shreeram
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, USA
| | - Daniel J Hassett
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267-0524, USA
| | - Dale W Schaefer
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, USA.
- Department of Biomedical, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45221-0012, USA.
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Zhou X, Qu Y, Kim BH, Du Y, Wang H, Li H, Dong Y, He W, Liu J, Feng Y. Simultaneous current generation and ammonia recovery from real urine using nitrogen-purged bioelectrochemical systems. RSC Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra11556f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ammonia could be recovered from human urine through combination of bioelectrochemical systems and nitrogen purging, with concomitant mitigation of ammonia inhibition of anode electroactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangtong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Harbin
- China
| | - Youpeng Qu
- School of Life Science and Biotechnology
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Harbin
- China
| | - Byung Hong Kim
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Harbin
- China
- Bioelectrochemistry Laboratory
| | - Yue Du
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Harbin
- China
| | - Haiman Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Harbin
- China
| | - Henan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Harbin
- China
| | - Yue Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Harbin
- China
| | - Weihua He
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Harbin
- China
| | - Jia Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Harbin
- China
| | - Yujie Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Harbin
- China
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32
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Tao Q, Luo J, Zhou J, Zhou S, Liu G, Zhang R. Effect of dissolved oxygen on nitrogen and phosphorus removal and electricity production in microbial fuel cell. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2014; 164:402-407. [PMID: 24880930 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2014] [Revised: 04/27/2014] [Accepted: 05/02/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Performance of a two-chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC) was evaluated with the influence of cathodic dissolved oxygen (DO). The maximum voltage, coulombic efficiency and maximum power density outputs of MFC decreased from 521 to 303 mV, 52.48% to 23.09% and 530 to 178 mW/m(2) with cathodic DO declining. Furthermore, a great deal of total phosphorus (TP) was removed owing to chemical precipitation (about 80%) and microbial absorption (around 4-17%). COD was first removed in anode chamber (>70%) then in cathode chamber (<5%). Most of nitrogen was removed when the cathodic DO was at low levels. Chemical precipitates formed in cathode chamber were verified as phosphate, carbonate and hydroxyl compound with the aid of scanning electron microscope capable of energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinqin Tao
- College of Environmental Science and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Jingjing Luo
- College of Environmental Science and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Juan Zhou
- College of Environmental Science and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Shaoqi Zhou
- College of Environmental Science and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guizhou Academy of Sciences, Shanxi Road 1, Guiyang 550001, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building Sciences, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Eco-Remediation of Guangdong Regular Higher Education Institutions, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
| | - Guangli Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China
| | - Renduo Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China
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Mathuriya AS, Yakhmi JV. Microbial fuel cells – Applications for generation of electrical power and beyond. Crit Rev Microbiol 2014; 42:127-43. [DOI: 10.3109/1040841x.2014.905513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - J. V. Yakhmi
- Atomic Energy Education Society, Western Sector, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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34
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Kelly PT, He Z. Nutrients removal and recovery in bioelectrochemical systems: a review. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2014; 153:351-60. [PMID: 24388692 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2013.12.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2013] [Revised: 12/08/2013] [Accepted: 12/11/2013] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Nutrient removal and recovery has received less attention during the development of bioelectrochemical systems (BES) for energy efficient wastewater treatment, but it is a critical issue for sustainable wastewater treatment. Both nitrogen and phosphorus can be removed and/or recovered in a BES through involving biological processes such as nitrification and bioelectrochemical denitrification, the NH4(+)/NH3 couple affected by the electrolyte pH, or precipitating phosphorus compounds in the high-pH zone adjacent a cathode electrode. This paper has reviewed the nutrients removal and recovery in various BES including microbial fuel cells and microbial electrolysis cells, discussed the influence factors and potential problems, and identified the key challenges for nitrogen and phosphorus removal/recovery in a BES. It expects to give an informative overview of the current development, and to encourage more thinking and investigation towards further development of efficient processes for nutrient removal and recovery in a BES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick T Kelly
- Department of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA
| | - Zhen He
- Via Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
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He YR, Xiao X, Li WW, Cai PJ, Yuan SJ, Yan FF, He MX, Sheng GP, Tong ZH, Yu HQ. Electricity generation from dissolved organic matter in polluted lake water using a microbial fuel cell (MFC). Biochem Eng J 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2012.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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36
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He YR, Xiao X, Li WW, Sheng GP, Yan FF, Yu HQ, Yuan H, Wu LJ. Enhanced electricity production from microbial fuel cells with plasma-modified carbon paper anode. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2012; 14:9966-71. [DOI: 10.1039/c2cp40873b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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