Towards practical implementation of bioelectrochemical wastewater treatment.
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.
Rozendal
René A
RA
Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia. r.rozendal@uq.edu.au
Hamelers
Hubertus V M
HV
Rabaey
Korneel
K
Keller
Jurg
J
Buisman
Cees J N
CJ
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D019149:Bioreactors; D001709:Biotechnology; D003246:Conservation of Energy Resources; D004572:Electrolysis; D012722:Sewage; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid
D012722:Sewage