A microbial desalination process with microalgae biocathode using sodium bicarbonate as an inorganic carbon source

This research investigates a novel platform for an energy-yielding wastewater treatment and desalination scheme in which the organic matter present in wastewater is purposely fed to the exoelectrogenic bacteria to produce bioelectricity in a three-compartment bioelectrochemical system called photosy...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International biodeterioration & biodegradation 2018-05, Vol.130, p.91-97
Main Authors: Arana, Thomas J., Gude, Veera Gnaneswar
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bioelectricity
Biomass energy
Biomass energy production
Carbon
Carbon sources
Chemical compounds
Desalination
Energy
Energy conservation
Inorganic carbon
Microalgae
Microbial desalination
Microorganisms
Organic matter
Photosynthesis
Renewable energy
Renewable resources
Sodium
Sodium bicarbonate
Wastewater
Wastewater treatment
Water treatment
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Summary:This research investigates a novel platform for an energy-yielding wastewater treatment and desalination scheme in which the organic matter present in wastewater is purposely fed to the exoelectrogenic bacteria to produce bioelectricity in a three-compartment bioelectrochemical system called photosynthetic microbial desalination cell (PMDC). The role of an inorganic carbon source in the microalgae biocathode was studied. Addition of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) increased power production, microalgae growth and desalination rate. A power density of 660 mW/m3 was measured which is about 7.5 times higher than the PMDCs without NaHCO3. Desalination rate was more than 40% after 72 h. Overall, the process could be energy-positive while producing 4.21 kWh per m3 of wastewater treated including desalination energy savings and microalgae biomass energy potential. [Display omitted] •A maximum power density of 625 mW/m3 was obtained with sodium bicarbonate addition.•TDS removal of more than 40% with over 50% increase in water recovery in desalination.•Sodium bicarbonate concentration more than 0.5 g/L did not improve process benefits.
ISSN:0964-8305
1879-0208
DOI:10.1016/j.ibiod.2018.04.003