Novel self-stratifying bioelectrochemical system for municipal wastewater treatment halves nitrous oxide emissions

Abstract

Reducing carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions are prime global goals. Wastewater treatment contributes significantly, and this study developed a technology with a focus on utilisation in small-decentralised plants. Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) utilise bacteria to remove pollutants while generating power and a range of experiments were performed to investigate their suitability compared to conventional trickling filters. A lab-based trickling filter was inferior to one adapted with electrodes both in terms of organic matter (COD) and phosphate reduction, but the BES did not generate electrical output due to inferior cathode configuration. An enhanced, novel, dual-BES system was developed with improved cathode positioning and operated as a cascade. This demonstrated improved COD (79 %) and total nitrogen (102 %) removal over the trickling filter. Concomitantly it emitted 47 % less N2O and generated an electrical output of 0.62 mA at 311 mV. Further work is needed to optimise BES but these results are encouraging in the development of sustainable biotechnologies.