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Optimizing Physical Factors for the Ammonium Removal from Wastewater Using Bio-Electrochemical Systems

Author

Listed:
  • Aparna Sharma

    (Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, Hyoja-2-dong, Chuncheon-si 24341, Republic of Korea)

  • Anup Gurung

    (Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, Hyoja-2-dong, Chuncheon-si 24341, Republic of Korea)

  • Syed Ejaz Hussain Mehdi

    (Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, Hyoja-2-dong, Chuncheon-si 24341, Republic of Korea)

  • Suleman Shahzad

    (Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, Hyoja-2-dong, Chuncheon-si 24341, Republic of Korea)

  • Fida Hussain

    (Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, Hyoja-2-dong, Chuncheon-si 24341, Republic of Korea)

  • Woochang Kang

    (Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, Hyoja-2-dong, Chuncheon-si 24341, Republic of Korea)

  • Sandesh Pandey

    (Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, Hyoja-2-dong, Chuncheon-si 24341, Republic of Korea)

  • Aqib Hassan Ali Khan

    (International Research Center in Critical Raw Materials and Advanced Industrial Technologies, Universidad de Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain)

  • Sang-Eun Oh

    (Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, Hyoja-2-dong, Chuncheon-si 24341, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

Waste streams, leachates, and wastewater often contain high-strength ammonia, which can be challenging to manage. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer a promising solution for treating such a nuisance of high-strength ammonia. However, optimizing MFC operating conditions, at lower technology readiness levels, is crucial to achieve a sustainable and economically viable application. This study investigates the factors affecting ammonia nitrogen removal in MFCs. MFCs with a cation exchange membrane (CEM) exhibit a higher diffusion rate of ammonium ions from the anode to the cathode compared to those with a proton exchange membrane (PEM). In close circuit mode (CCM), MFCs with a Pt-coated cathode electrode achieved an ammonium removal efficiency of 96% in the cathode chamber. Moreover, a plain carbon cathode electrode yielded an 87.1% removal efficiency. These results indicate that the combination of a catalyst (Pt) and oxygen in the cathode chamber can effectively remove or recover ammonia nitrogen from wastewater. Simultaneously, the removal of ammonia nitrogen in a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) was studied. At an applied potential of 1.0 V, an ammonium removal efficiency of 87.5% was achieved. It was concluded that ammonium losses in MFCs can occur through electron migration, volatilization, and biological processes such as nitrification and denitrification.

Suggested Citation

  • Aparna Sharma & Anup Gurung & Syed Ejaz Hussain Mehdi & Suleman Shahzad & Fida Hussain & Woochang Kang & Sandesh Pandey & Aqib Hassan Ali Khan & Sang-Eun Oh, 2025. "Optimizing Physical Factors for the Ammonium Removal from Wastewater Using Bio-Electrochemical Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:6:p:2543-:d:1611863
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sanath Kondaveeti & Dae-Hyeon Choi & Md Tabish Noori & Booki Min, 2022. "Ammonia Removal by Simultaneous Nitrification and Denitrification in a Single Dual-Chamber Microbial Electrolysis Cell," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-15, December.
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