Organic matter removal and nitrogen transformation by a constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell system with simultaneous bioelectricity generation
Microbial fuel cells integrated into constructed wetlands have been previously studied. Nevertheless, their application as a suitable treatment for wastewater is still in the developmental stage. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate organic matter removal and nitrogen transformatio...
| Autores: | , , |
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2020 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) |
| Repositorio: | UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC |
| Idioma: | inglés |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/333761 |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/2117/333761 https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142075 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Constructed wetlands Pollutants removal Microbial fuel cell hybrid systems Wastewater treatment Synthetic influent Zones humides artificials Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Desenvolupament humà i sostenible::Enginyeria ambiental::Tractament de l'aigua |
| Sumario: | Microbial fuel cells integrated into constructed wetlands have been previously studied. Nevertheless, their application as a suitable treatment for wastewater is still in the developmental stage. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate organic matter removal and nitrogen transformation by a microbial fuel cell integrated into a constructed wetland (CWMFC). To accomplish this, three experimental systems were operated under batch-mode conditions over 170 days: i) one was planted with Schoenoplectus californicus (P-CWMFC); ii) another was unplanted (NP-CWMFC); and iii) the third system did not have any electrodes (CW) and was used as a control. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency ranged between 74–87%, 69–81% and 62–72% for the P-CWMFC, NP-CWMFC and CW systems, respectively, with organic loading rates (OLR) ranging from 4.8 to 7.9 g COD/m2 d. NH4+-N removal efficiency exceeded 98%, 90% and 83% for P-CWMFC, NP-CWMFC and CW, respectively. Wastewater treatment performance was improved due to anaerobic oxidation that occurred on the anodes. Organic matter removal was 18% higher in closed-circuit mode than in open-circuit mode in both integrated systems (P-CWMFC and NP-CWMFC), and these differences were significant (p < 0.05). With respect to the performance of microbial fuel cells, the maximum power density (8.6 mW/m2) was achieved at an organic loading rate of 7.9 g COD/m2 d with an internal resistance and coulombic efficiency of 251 Ω and 2.4%, respectively. The results obtained in this work can provide positive impacts on CW development by enhancing anaerobic degradation without forced aeration. |
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