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Updated: Feb 17, 2026

Electrochemically and Bioelectrochemically Induced Ammonium Recovery

Electrochemically and Bioelectrochemically Induced Ammonium Recovery

Published on: January 22, 2015

Microbial electricity driven anoxic ammonium removal.

Anna Vilajeliu-Pons¹, Christin Koch², Maria D Balaguer¹

¹LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.

|December 9, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study demonstrates an energy-efficient method for removing ammonium from wastewater using bioelectrochemical systems. This anoxic process significantly reduces energy consumption compared to conventional wastewater treatment plants.

Keywords:

Bioelectrochemical system Cyclic voltammetry Hydroxylamine Microcosm Nitrogen cycle Wastewater treatment

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Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Electrochemistry
Microbiology

Background:

Nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is energy-intensive, primarily due to aeration for nitrification.
Conventional methods incur high operational costs, necessitating more economical alternatives for ammonium removal.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the feasibility of anoxic ammonium conversion to dinitrogen gas using bioelectrochemical systems.
To evaluate the energy efficiency and removal rates of this novel technology compared to traditional WWTPs.

Main Methods:

Continuous operation of litre-scale bioelectrochemical systems for ammonium removal.
Analysis of removal rates, intermediate products (nitrite, nitrate, nitrous oxide), and energy consumption.
Biotic and abiotic control experiments to confirm the electrochemical biological process.

Main Results:

Complete anoxic conversion of ammonium to dinitrogen gas was achieved at rates comparable to conventional WWTPs (35 ± 10 g N m⁻³ d⁻¹).
Energy consumption was significantly lower (1.16 ± 0.21 kWh kg⁻¹ N), over 35 times less than conventional treatment.
The process, mainly performed by Nitrosomonas, showed minimal accumulation of undesirable byproducts.

Conclusions:

Bioelectrochemical systems offer a technically feasible and cost-effective solution for ammonium removal from wastewater.
The anoxic nitrification process is an electrochemical biological mechanism with potential for significant energy savings.
Further engineering development is needed to optimize and implement this technology for industrial applications.