Journal
MOLECULES
Volume 25, Issue 12, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/molecules25122945
Keywords
bioelectrochemical systems; microbial electrolysis cells; pilot-scale; return sludge liquor; volumetric treatment rate; hydraulic retention time
Funding
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) [EP/N50928/1]
- Centre for Doctoral Training in Engineering for the Water Sector entitled Skills Technology Research and Management (STREAM) [EP/L015412/1]
- BEWISE, Experimental Biology and Engineering at the Pilot Scale [EP/P001564/1]
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Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) have the potential to deliver energy-neutral wastewater treatment. Pilot-scale tests have proven that they can operate at low temperatures with real wastewaters. However, volumetric treatment rates (VTRs) have been low, reducing the ability for this technology to compete with activated sludge (AS). This paper describes a pilot-scale microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) operated in continuous flow for 6 months. The reactor was fed return sludge liquor, the concentrated filtrate of anaerobic digestion sludge that has a high chemical oxygen demand (COD). The use of a wastewater with increased soluble organics, along with optimisation of the hydraulic retention time (HRT), resulted in the highest VTR achieved by a pilot-scale MEC treating real wastewater. Peak HRT was 0.5-days, resulting in an average VTR of 3.82 kgCOD/m(3)center dot day and a 55% COD removal efficiency. Finally, using the data obtained, a direct analysis of the potential savings from the reduced loading on AS was then made. Theoretical calculation of the required tank size, with the estimated costs and savings, indicates that the use of an MEC as a return sludge liquor pre-treatment technique could result in an industrially viable system.
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