Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
10
Bioelectrochemical Systems (BES)
for Microbial Electroremediation:
An Advanced Wastewater
Treatment Technology
Gunda Mohanakrishna, Sandipam Srikanth
and Deepak Pant
Abstract
Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) have been employed for various ap-
plications in recent years including energy production, wastewater treat-
ment, electrosynthesis and desalination. The present chapter emphasizes
the advantages and potential applications of BES for the remediation of
recalcitrant pollutants present in various types of wastewaters. Bioelec-
tricity generated from the treatment of these wastewaters is an additional
energy output from the process along with the possible environmental so-
lution. Since, the treatment mechanism of BES is combination of both
microbial and electrochemical reactions, the process can be termed as mi-
crobial electroremediation. The current chapter depicts the principles of
bioelectrochemical remediation, possible mechanisms at anode and cath-
ode. Further, a comprehensive overview on different types of wastewater
as well as nutrients, pollutants and toxic substances, utilized as electron
donors or acceptors for their treatment, is discussed in detail under differ-
ent categories. Microbial electroremediation is still an emerging field of
science aimed at harnessing energy from wastewater treatment and it has
a potential to boon the waste remediation with net positive energy gain.
Keywords
Microbial fuel cell (MFC) ﾷ Microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) ﾷ Nutrient removal
cathodic and anodic mechanism ﾷ Microbial desalination ﾷ Azo dye degrada-
tion ﾷ Bioelectricity
10.1
Introduction to Bioelectro-
chemical Systems
Globally, huge amount of capital and resources
are being spent for treating trillions of litres of
wastewater annually, consuming significant
amounts of energy. The new strategies of envi-
ronmental management are focused specifically
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