TY - JOUR
T1 - Scaling up of dual-chamber microbial electrochemical systems – An appraisal using systems design approach
AU - Fathima, Arshia
AU - Ilankoon, Saman
AU - Zhang, Yifeng
AU - Chong, Meng Nan
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by the Graduate Research Merit Scholarship offered by Monash University Malaysia to Ms. Arshia Fathima.
Funding Information:
The authors gratefully acknowledge financial PhD scholarship support from School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia for Arshia Fathima. She would also like to credit Freepik resources for the open source design template of infographics used in graphical abstract and Figs. 2 (c), 3 and 6 .
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023
PY - 2024/2/20
Y1 - 2024/2/20
N2 - Impetus to minimise the energy and carbon footprints of evolving wastewater resource recovery facilities has promoted the development of microbial electrochemical systems (MES) as an emerging energy-neutral and sustainable platform technology. Using separators in dual-chamber MES to isolate anodic and cathodic environments creates endless opportunities for its myriad applications. Nevertheless, the high internal resistance and the complex interdependencies among various system factors have challenged its scale-up. This critical review employed a systems approach to examine the complex interdependencies and practical issues surrounding the implementation and scalability of dual-chamber MES, where the anodic and cathodic reactions are mutually appraised to improve the overall system efficiency. The robustness and stability of anodic biofilms in large-volume MES is dependent on its inoculum source, antecedent history and enrichment strategies. The composition and anode-respiring activity of these biofilms are modulated by the anolyte composition, while their performance demands a delicate balance between the electrode size, macrostructure and the availability of substrates, buffers and nutrients when using real wastewater as anolyte. Additionally, the catholyte governed the reduction environment and associated energy consumption of MES with scalable electrocatalysts needed to enhance the sluggish reaction kinetics for energy-efficient resource recovery. A comprehensive assessment of the dual-chamber reactor configuration revealed that the tubular, spiral-wound, or plug-in modular MES configurations are suitable for pilot-scale, where it could be designed more effectively using efficient electrode macrostructure, suitable membranes and bespoke strategies for continuous operation to maximise their performance. It is anticipated that the critical and analytical understanding gained through this review will support the continuous development and scaling-up of dual-chamber MES for prospective energy-neutral treatment of wastewater and simultaneous circular management of highly relevant environmental resources.
AB - Impetus to minimise the energy and carbon footprints of evolving wastewater resource recovery facilities has promoted the development of microbial electrochemical systems (MES) as an emerging energy-neutral and sustainable platform technology. Using separators in dual-chamber MES to isolate anodic and cathodic environments creates endless opportunities for its myriad applications. Nevertheless, the high internal resistance and the complex interdependencies among various system factors have challenged its scale-up. This critical review employed a systems approach to examine the complex interdependencies and practical issues surrounding the implementation and scalability of dual-chamber MES, where the anodic and cathodic reactions are mutually appraised to improve the overall system efficiency. The robustness and stability of anodic biofilms in large-volume MES is dependent on its inoculum source, antecedent history and enrichment strategies. The composition and anode-respiring activity of these biofilms are modulated by the anolyte composition, while their performance demands a delicate balance between the electrode size, macrostructure and the availability of substrates, buffers and nutrients when using real wastewater as anolyte. Additionally, the catholyte governed the reduction environment and associated energy consumption of MES with scalable electrocatalysts needed to enhance the sluggish reaction kinetics for energy-efficient resource recovery. A comprehensive assessment of the dual-chamber reactor configuration revealed that the tubular, spiral-wound, or plug-in modular MES configurations are suitable for pilot-scale, where it could be designed more effectively using efficient electrode macrostructure, suitable membranes and bespoke strategies for continuous operation to maximise their performance. It is anticipated that the critical and analytical understanding gained through this review will support the continuous development and scaling-up of dual-chamber MES for prospective energy-neutral treatment of wastewater and simultaneous circular management of highly relevant environmental resources.
KW - Bioelectrochemical systems
KW - Electroactive biofilm
KW - Exoelectrogen enrichment
KW - Microbial electrolysis cells
KW - Microbial fuel cells
KW - Reactor design
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85179883081
U2 - 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169186
DO - 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169186
M3 - Review Article
C2 - 38086487
AN - SCOPUS:85179883081
SN - 0048-9697
VL - 912
JO - Science of the Total Environment
JF - Science of the Total Environment
M1 - 169186
ER -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy