Fouling

Engineering

Effluent

Physical chemistry

Microbial fuel cell

Bioreactor

Electrode

Organic chemistry

Membrane fouling

Chemistry

Chemical oxygen demand

Membrane bioreactor

Environmental science

Membrane

Pulp and paper industry

Waste management

Biochemistry

Sewage treatment

Aeration

Environmental engineering

Anode

Wastewater

Bioresource Technology

A novel combined system integrating MFC and electric membrane bioreactor (EMBR) was developed, in which a quartz sand chamber (QSC) was used, replacing expensive proton exchange membrane (PEM). An air contact oxidation bed (ACOB) and embedded trickling filter (TF) with filled volcano rock, was designed to increase dissolved oxygen (DO) in cathodic EMBR to save aeration cost. Membrane fouling in EMBR was successful inhibited/reduced by the generated bioelectricity of the system. The combined system demonstrated superior effluent quality in removing chemical oxygen demand (>97%) and ammonia nitrogen (>93%) during the stable operation, and the phosphorus removal was about 50%. Dominant bacteria (Nitrosomonas sp.; Comamonas sp.; Candidatus Kuenenia) played important roles in the removal of organic matter and ammonia nitrogen. The system has good application prospects in the efficient use of water and the development of sustainable wastewater recycling technology.

Development of a novel proton exchange membrane-free integrated MFC system with electric membrane bioreactor and air contact oxidation bed for efficient and energy-saving wastewater treatment