Electron transfer pathways and kinetic analysis of cathodic simultaneous nitrification and denitrification process in microbial fuel cell system

Feng Ling; Yongze Lu; Ce Wang; Zhan Yuan; Ran Yu; Guangcan Zhu

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2020.109505

Electron transfer pathways and kinetic analysis of cathodic simultaneous nitrification and denitrification process in microbial fuel cell system

Environ Res. 2020 Jul:186:109505. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109505. Epub 2020 Apr 14.

Authors

Feng Ling¹, Yongze Lu¹, Ce Wang¹, Zhan Yuan², Ran Yu³, Guangcan Zhu⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210096, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China.
² Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210096, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China; Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design Institute (Group) Co., Ltd, Shanghai, 200082, China.
³ Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210096, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China. Electronic address: yuran@seu.edu.cn.
⁴ Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210096, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China. Electronic address: gc-zhu@seu.edu.cn.

PMID: 32330768
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109505

Abstract

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is an innovative bioconversion technology for wastewater treatment accompanied with electricity recovery. In this study, a kinetic model was developed base on Activated Sludge Model No.1 (ASM1) to describe electron transfer pathways during the simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) process in the biocathode system of a dual-chamber MFC. The batch running of the dual-chamber MFC system showed that it produced a power density up to 2.96 W m^-3 within 48 h, the achieved SND efficiency and autotrophic denitrification ratio in the cathodic denitrification process were up to 87.3 ± 0.8% and 69.5 ± 6.6%, respectively. Meanwhile, by integrating nitrification, autotrophic denitrification, heterotrophic denitrification, organic carbon oxidation, and oxygen reduction in the cathode, the model was able to precisely fit the concentration variations of NH₃-N, dissolved oxygen (DO) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) during the cathodic SND process (R² ≥ 0.9876). The cathode electrons tended to be completely utilized with the increase of autotrophic denitrification ratio in the cathodic denitrification process. When the nitrification rate was enhanced, the autotrophic denitrification would prevail in the competition with the heterotrophic denitrification. In summary, the developed model was confirmed to be effective and reliable for describing the electron transfer pathways and predicting the performance of the nitrogen removal reactions during the cathodic SND process in a double-chamber MFC.

Keywords: Electron transfer pathways; Kinetic model; Microbial fuel cell; Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Bioelectric Energy Sources*
Bioreactors
Denitrification
Electrodes
Electrons
Kinetics
Nitrification*
Nitrogen
Wastewater

Substances

Waste Water
Nitrogen