title: Self-induced bio-potential and graphite electron accepting conditions enhances petroleum sludge degradation in bio-electrochemical system with simultaneous power generation.
abstract: Bio-electrochemical treatment (BET) documented effective degradation of real field petroleum sludge over the conventional anaerobic treatment (AnT). BET (41.08%) operation showed enhanced total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) removal over AnT (20.72%). Aromatic fraction visualized higher removal (75.54%) compared to other TPH fractions viz., aliphatics, asphaltenes and NSO (nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen) during BET operation. Higher ring aromatics (5-6) documented easy degradation in BET, while AnT was limited to lower ring (2-3) compounds. Voltammetric analysis evidenced simultaneous redox behavior during BET operation due to presence of graphite electrode as electron acceptor, while AnT showed extended reduction behavior only. Self-induced primary and secondary oxidation reactions and capacitive-deionization might have enhanced the degradation capability of BET. BET documented higher charge/capacitance (2810 mJ/1120 mF) than AnT (450 mJ/180 mF). Power output corroborated well with observed results supporting BET performance as fuel cell. Electrodes offer a potential alternative electron acceptor for promoting the degradation of organic contaminants.
authors.affiliation: Bioengineering and Environmental Centre (BEEC), Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad 500 607, India. vmohan_s@yahoo.com
authors.forename: S Venkata
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Mohan
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chandrasekhar
mesh_terms: D000693:Anaerobiosis; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D004583:Electrons; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D007700:Kinetics; D010578:Petroleum; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D012722:Sewage
chemical_list: D010578:Petroleum; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds; D012722:Sewage; D006108:Graphite