Abstract
How to utilize electrocoagulation (EC) technology for algae-polluted water treatment in an energy-efficient manner remains a critical challenge for its widespread application. Herein, a novel biocathode-coupled electrocoagulation cell (bio-ECC) with sacrificial iron anode and nitrifying biocathode was developed. Under different solution conductivities (2.33±0.25mScm−1 and 4.94±0.55mScm−1), the bio-ECC achieved almost complete removal of algae cells. The maximum power densities of 8.41 and 11.33Wm−3 at corresponding current densities of 48.03Am−3 and 66.26Am−3 were obtained, with the positive energy balance of 4.52 and 7.44Wm−3. In addition, the bio-ECC exhibited excellent NH4+-N removal performance with the nitrogen removal rates of 7.28mgL−1h−1 and 6.77mgL−1h−1 in cathode chamber, indicating the superiority of bio-ECC in NH4+-N removal. Pyrosequencing revealed that nitrifiers including Nitrospira, Nitrobacter, Nitrosococcus, and Nitrosomonas were enriched in biocathode. The removal mechanisms of algae in anode chamber were also explored by AFM and SEM-EDX tests. These results provide a proof-of-concept study of transferring energy-intensive EC process into an energy-neutral process with high-efficiency algae removal and electricity recovery.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
