title: Towards practical implementation of bioelectrochemical wastewater treatment.
abstract: Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs), such as microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and microbial electrolysis cells (MECs), are generally regarded as a promising future technology for the production of energy from organic material present in wastewaters. The current densities that can be generated with laboratory BESs now approach levels that come close to the requirements for practical applications. However, full-scale implementation of bioelectrochemical wastewater treatment is not straightforward because certain microbiological, technological and economic challenges need to be resolved that have not previously been encountered in any other wastewater treatment system. Here, we identify these challenges, provide an overview of their implications for the feasibility of bioelectrochemical wastewater treatment and explore the opportunities for future BESs.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia. r.rozendal@uq.edu.au
authors.forename: René A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Rozendal
authors.forename: Hubertus V M
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Hamelers
authors.forename: Korneel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rabaey
authors.forename: Jurg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.forename: Cees J N
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Buisman
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D019149:Bioreactors; D001709:Biotechnology; D003246:Conservation of Energy Resources; D004572:Electrolysis; D012722:Sewage; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid
chemical_list: D012722:Sewage