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Ammonia recycling enables sustainable operation of bioelectrochemical systems
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Ammonia recycling enables sustainable operation of bioelectrochemical systems

K.Y. Cheng, A.H. Kaksonen and R. Cord-Ruwisch
Bioresource Technology, Vol.143, pp.25-31
2013
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Abstract

Ammonium (NH4+) migration across a cation exchange membrane is commonly observed during the operation of bioelectrochemical systems (BES). This often leads to anolyte acidification (pH <5.5) and complete inactivation of biofilm electroactivity. Without using conventional pH controls (dosage of alkali or pH buffers), the present study revealed that anodic biofilm activity (current) could be sustained if recycling of ammonia (NH3) was implemented. A simple gas-exchange apparatus was designed to enable continuous recycling of NH3 (released from the catholyte at pH >10) from the cathodic headspace to the acidified anolyte. Results indicated that current (110mA or 688Am-3 net anodic chamber volume) was sustained as long as the NH3 recycling path was enabled, facilitating continuous anolyte neutralization with the recycled NH3. Since the microbial current enabled NH4+ migration against a strong concentration gradient (~10-fold), a novel way of ammonia recovery from wastewaters could be envisaged.

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#7 Affordable and Clean Energy

Source: InCites

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Citation topics
3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
3.83 Bioengineering
3.83.1487 Microbial Fuel Cell
Web Of Science research areas
Agricultural Engineering
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Energy & Fuels
ESI research areas
Biology & Biochemistry
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