This work aimed to study the electrification of biotrickling filters by means of Microbial electrochemical technologies (MET) to develop an easy-to-assemble and easy-to-use MET for nitrogen removal without external aeration nor addition of chemicals. Four different designs were tested. The highest ammonium and nitrate removal rates (94 gN·m-3·d-1 and 43 gN·m-3·d-1, respectively) were reached by combining an aerobic zone with an electrified anoxic zone. The standards of effluent quality suitable for hydroponics were met at low energy cost (8.3 × 10-2 kWh·gN-1). Electrified biotrickling filters are a promising alternative for aquaponics and a potential treatment for organic carbon-deficient ammonium-contaminated waters.
Keywords: Bioelectrochemical systems; Biologic nitrogen removal; Circular bioeconomy; Microbial electrochemical technologies; Power-to-food.
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