Electrifying biotrickling filters for the treatment of aquaponics wastewater. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pous, Narcís; Korth, Benjamin; Osset-Álvarez, Miguel; Balaguer, Maria Dolors; Harnisch, Falk; Puig, Sebastià
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 319(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Circular bioeconomy -- Bioelectrochemical systems -- Biologic nitrogen removal -- Microbial electrochemical technologies -- Power-to-food; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.124221
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Highlights: Non-conductive filling material brought insufficient and uncontrollable N removal. Polarized conductive filling material provided limited but controllable N removal. Mix of non-conductive and polarized conductive material were the most active. The electrified biotrickling filter met the N standards, closing aquaponics loop. Abstract: 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.