A bio-anodic filter facilitated entrapment, decomposition and in situ oxidation of algal biomass in wastewater effluent.
This study examined for the first time the use of bioelectrochemical systems (BES) to entrap, decompose and oxidise fresh algal biomass from an algae-laden effluent. The experimental process consisted of a photobioreactor for a continuous production of the algal-laden effluent, and a two-chamber BES equipped with anodic graphite granules and carbon-felt to physically remove and oxidise algal biomass from the influent. Results showed that the BES filter could retain ca. 90% of the suspended solids (SS) loaded. A coulombic efficiency (CE) of 36.6% (based on particulate chemical oxygen demand (PCOD) removed) was achieved, which was consistent with the highest CEs of BES studies (operated in microbial fuel cell mode (MFC)) that included additional pre-treatment steps for algae hydrolysis. Overall, this study suggests that a filter type BES anode can effectively entrap, decompose and in situ oxidise algae without the need for a separate pre-treatment step.
CSIRO Land and Water, Floreat, Western Australia 6014, Australia; Department of Civil Engineering, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia.
Hassan
H
Mohammadi Khalfbadam
CSIRO Land and Water, Floreat, Western Australia 6014, Australia; School of Engineering and Information Technology, Murdoch University, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
Ka Yu
KY
Cheng
Department of Civil Engineering, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia.
Ranjan
R
Sarukkalige
CSIRO Land and Water, Floreat, Western Australia 6014, Australia; School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
Anna H
AH
Kaksonen
Water Corporation of Western Australia, Leederville, Western Australia 6007, Australia.
Ahmet S
AS
Kayaalp
CSIRO Land and Water, Floreat, Western Australia 6014, Australia. Electronic address: Maneesha.ginige@csiro.au.
Maneesha P
MP
Ginige
D057919:Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis; D018533:Biomass; D002244:Carbon; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004566:Electrodes; D004867:Equipment Design; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D006868:Hydrolysis; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D058433:Photobioreactors; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry
D002244:Carbon; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D062065:Wastewater
Algal biomass; Anodic filter; Bioelectrochemical systems; Suspended solids; Waste stabilisation pond