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Energy-positive nitrogen removal using the integrated short-cut nitrification and autotrophic denitrification microbial fuel cells (MFCs)

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  • Li, Yan
  • Williams, Isaiah
  • Xu, Zhiheng
  • Li, Baikun
  • Li, Baitao

Abstract

An integrated short-cut nitrification and autotrophic denitrification microbial fuel cell (SNAD-MFC) was developed to achieve energy-positive nitrogen removal from wastewater. Ammonium was reduced mostly to nitrite instead of nitrate (the ratio of nitrite to nitrate: 3.0) in the cathode chamber of the short-cut nitrification MFC at low dissolved oxygen concentration (⩽3.5mg/L), and nitrite was reduced to nitrogen gas through autotrophic denitrification in the cathode chamber of the denitrification MFC by using the electrons produced from anode chamber. The total nitrogen removal rate was 0.0125kgN/m3d and the removal efficiency was 99.9%. The power generation in the short-cut nitrification MFC was 294.9mW/m2 with the highest current density of 0.158mA/cm2. The accumulated coulombs of the whole SNAD-MFC were 87.17C at DO 3.5mg/L. Unlike the energy-negative and carbon-intensive biological nutrient removal (BNR) processes, the SNAD-MFC exhibits the distinct advantages of compact configuration, low aeration cost, no requirement of carbon sources, and produces the net electric power of 0.007kWh/m3, which has a high potential for self-sustained energy-positive nutrient removal.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Yan & Williams, Isaiah & Xu, Zhiheng & Li, Baikun & Li, Baitao, 2016. "Energy-positive nitrogen removal using the integrated short-cut nitrification and autotrophic denitrification microbial fuel cells (MFCs)," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 352-360.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:163:y:2016:i:c:p:352-360
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.11.021
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    2. Wang, Chin-Tsan & Lee, Yao-Cheng & Ou, Yun-Ting & Yang, Yung-Chin & Chong, Wen-Tong & Sangeetha, Thangavel & Yan, Wei-Mon, 2017. "Exposing effect of comb-type cathode electrode on the performance of sediment microbial fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 620-625.
    3. Han, He-Xing & Shi, Chen & Yuan, Li & Sheng, Guo-Ping, 2017. "Enhancement of methyl orange degradation and power generation in a photoelectrocatalytic microbial fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 382-389.
    4. Xu, Zhiheng & Liu, Yucheng & Williams, Isaiah & Li, Yan & Qian, Fengyu & Wang, Lei & Lei, Yu & Li, Baikun, 2017. "Flat enzyme-based lactate biofuel cell integrated with power management system: Towards long term in situ power supply for wearable sensors," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 71-80.
    5. Luciana Peixoto & Pier Parpot & Gilberto Martins, 2019. "Assessment of Electron Transfer Mechanisms during a Long-Term Sediment Microbial Fuel Cell Operation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-13, February.
    6. Ewing, Timothy & Ha, Phuc Thi & Beyenal, Haluk, 2017. "Evaluation of long-term performance of sediment microbial fuel cells and the role of natural resources," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 490-497.
    7. Santoro, Carlo & Abad, Fernando Benito & Serov, Alexey & Kodali, Mounika & Howe, Kerry J. & Soavi, Francesca & Atanassov, Plamen, 2017. "Supercapacitive microbial desalination cells: New class of power generating devices for reduction of salinity content," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 25-36.

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