Scalability of microbial electrochemical technologies: Applications and challenges

Dipak A Jadhav; Sung-Gwan Park; Soumya Pandit; Euntae Yang; Mohammad Ali Abdelkareem; Jae-Kyung Jang; Kyu-Jung Chae

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126498

Scalability of microbial electrochemical technologies: Applications and challenges

Bioresour Technol. 2022 Feb:345:126498. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126498. Epub 2021 Dec 7.

Authors

Dipak A Jadhav¹, Sung-Gwan Park², Soumya Pandit³, Euntae Yang⁴, Mohammad Ali Abdelkareem⁵, Jae-Kyung Jang⁶, Kyu-Jung Chae⁷

Affiliations

¹ Division of Civil, Environmental Engineering and Logistics System (Environmental Major), College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, 727 Taejong-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan 49112, Republic of Korea; Department of Agricultural Engineering, Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Aurangabad, Maharashtra 431010, India.
² Division of Civil, Environmental Engineering and Logistics System (Environmental Major), College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, 727 Taejong-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan 49112, Republic of Korea.
³ Department of Life Sciences, School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida 201306, India.
⁴ Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, Gyeongsang National University, Gyeongsangnam-do 53064, Republic of Korea.
⁵ Department of Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Center for Advanced Materials Research, University of Sharjah, 27272 Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Minia University, AlMinya, Egypt.
⁶ National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Agricultural Engineering Energy and Environmental Engineering Division, 310 Nongsaengmyeong-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea.
⁷ Division of Civil, Environmental Engineering and Logistics System (Environmental Major), College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, 727 Taejong-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan 49112, Republic of Korea; Interdisciplinary Major of Ocean Renewable Energy Engineering, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, 727 Taejong-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan 49112, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: ckjdream@kmou.ac.kr.

PMID: 34890815
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126498

Abstract

During wastewater treatment, microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) are a promising means for in situ energy harvesting and resource recovery. The primary constraint for such systems is scaling them up from the laboratory to practical applications. Currently, most research (∼90%) has been limited to benchtop models because of bioelectrochemical, economic, and engineering design limitations. Field trials, i.e., 1.5 m³ bioelectric toilet, 1000 L microbial electrolysis cell and industrial applications of METs have been conducted, and their results serve as positive indicators of their readiness for practical applications. Multiple startup companies have invested in the pilot-scale demonstrations of METs for industrial effluent treatment. Recently, advances in membrane/electrode modification, understanding of microbe-electrode interaction, and feasibility of electrochemical redox reactions have provided new directions for realizing the practical application. This study reviews the scaling-up challenges, success stories for onsite use, and readiness level of METs for commercialization that is inexpensive and sustainable.

Keywords: Hydrogen; Microbial electrochemical system; Microbial electrolysis cell; Microbial fuel cell; Scaling-up challenges.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Bioelectric Energy Sources*
Electrodes
Electrolysis
Technology
Water Purification*