Bioelectrochemical systems for a circular bioeconomy

Abstract

In the past two decades, bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) have received a considerable attention as a way of transforming wastewater directly to electricity and chemicals. Since BESs are capable of energy and chemical production by removing wastewater, these systems are considered promising sustainable waste-to-energy/chemical platforms and parts of circular bioeconomy. For the estimation of practical applicability of BESs in the circular bioeconomy, economic assessment of these systems is reviewed in this work. This estimation is necessary to decide whether BESs can be further developed for commercialization or there is any limiting factor for making the systems commercially viable in circular bioeconomy. This review also presents current developments of BESs, providing a critical review of the current status and challenges of techno-economic analysis for BESs. The results highlight the key factors to suggest the future research directions to make BESs economically available as a part of promising circular bioeconomy.

Keywords: Bioelectrochemical systems; Circular bioeconomy; Techno-economic analysis; Waste-to-energy; Waste-to-resources.