Abstract
In this study, the high-production-volume chemical benzothiazole (BTH) from synthetic water was fully degraded into less toxic intermediates of simple organic acids using an up-flow internal circulation microbial electrolysis reactor (UICMER) under the hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 24 h. The bioelectrochemical system was operated at 25 ± 2 °C and continuous-flow mode. The BTH loading rate varied during experiments from 20 g·m−3·day−1 to 110 g·m−3·day−1. BTH and soluble COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) removal efficiency reached 80% to 90% under all BTH loading rates. Bioluminescence based Shewanella oneidensis strain MR-1 ecotoxicity testing demonstrated that toxicity was largely decreased compared to the BTH wastewater influent and effluent of two control experiments. The results indicated that MEC (Microbial Electrolysis Cell) was useful and reliable for improving BTH wastewater treatment efficiency, enabling the microbiological reactor to more easily respond to the requirements of higher loading rate, which is meaningful for economic and efficient operation in future scale-up.
Highlights
Benzothiazole derivatives (BTHs) are a group of xenobiotic heterocyclic chemicals that contain a benzene ring fused with a thiazole-ring, and are high-production-volume chemicals found in medical intermediates, corrosion inhibitors
Evidence for leaching of BTH and other benzothiazoles is provided by leaching from drug preparations, rubber materials, herbicides, slimicides, algicides, fungicides, photosensitizers, azo dyes, de-icing/anti-icing fluids, and food flavors [1,2,3,4]
The limited biodegradability of BTHs, their potential toxicity toward microorganisms [8,9], their allergenicity [10], and their potential mutagenic effects [11] make their presence in the environment a great concern
Summary
Benzothiazole derivatives (BTHs) are a group of xenobiotic heterocyclic chemicals that contain a benzene ring fused with a thiazole-ring, and are high-production-volume chemicals found in medical intermediates, corrosion inhibitors. It is well accepted that Pt is not feasible for up-scaling application due to the high cost and negative environmental impacts, and carbon-based electrodes represent an alternative source of candidates due to their good stability and low cost Putting it all together, an up-flow internal circulation microbial electrolysis reactor (UICMER) is developed here as a potential platform technology to detoxify and degrade of BTH, and potentially treat wastewater. An up-flow internal circulation microbial electrolysis reactor (UICMER) is developed here as a potential platform technology to detoxify and degrade of BTH, and potentially treat wastewater It provided an up-flow pattern of MEC reactor, which improved the mass transfer efficiency by making the wastewater pass through the cathode and the anode in turn, compared to the conventional MEC reactors.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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
