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Advanced MEC research focusing on bioelectrochemical. Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) are yet to achieve commercial viability. Organic removal rates (ORR) and capital costs dictate an MEC’s fi...

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What they did

System
MEC
Substrate
pure compound

What worked

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Abstract

Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) are yet to achieve commercial viability. Organic removal rates (ORR) and capital costs dictate an MEC’s financial competitiveness against activated sludge treatments. We used numerical methods to investigate the impact of acetate concentration and the distance between opposing anodes’ surfaces (anode interstices width) on MEC cost-performance. Numerical predictions were calibrated against laboratory observations using an evolutionary algorithm. Anode interstices width had a non-linear impact on ORR and therefore allowable cost. MECs could be financially competitive if anode interstices widths are carefully controlled (2.5 mm), material costs kept low (£5–10/m 2 -anode), and wastewater pre-treated, using hydrolysis to consistently achieve influent acetate concentrations >100 mg-COD/l.

Keywords

AnodeElectrolysisMicrobial electrolysis cellWastewaterHydrolysisPulp and paper industry

Identifiers

DOI
10.3389/fceng.2021.796805
Journal
Frontiers in Chemical Engineering
Year
2022