Electrochemistry-stimulated environmental bioremediation: Development of applicable modular electrode and system scale-up

• Main Authors: Ai-Jie Wang, Hong-Cheng Wang, Hao-Yi Cheng, Bin Liang, Wen-Zong Liu, Jing-Long Han, Bo Zhang, Shu-Sen Wang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2020-07-01
• Series: Environmental Science and Ecotechnology
• Subjects: Environmental bioremediation; Bio-electrochemical systems (BESs); Electrode modular; Scaling-up; Intergradation system
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666498420300429

Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) have been studied extensively during the past decades owing primarily to their versatility and potential in addressing the water-energy-resource nexus. In stark contrast to the significant advancements that have been made in developing innovative processes for pollution control and bioresource/bioenergy recovery, minimal progress has been achieved in demonstrating the feasibility of BESs in scaled-up applications. This lack of scaled-up demonstration could be ascribed to the absence of suitable electrode modules (EMs) engineered for large-scale application. In this study, we report a scalable composite-engineered EM (total volume of 1 m3), fabricated using graphite-coated stainless steel and carbon felt, that allows integrating BESs into mainstream wastewater treatment technologies. The cost-effectiveness and easy scalability of this EM provides a viable and clear path to facilitate the transition between the success of the lab studies and applications of BESs to solve multiple pressing environmental issues at full-scale.