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Updated: Dec 8, 2025
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Electrochemically and Bioelectrochemically Induced Ammonium Recovery
Published on: January 22, 2015
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Bioelectrochemically-assisted nitrogen removal in osmotic membrane bioreactor
You Wu1, Yun Cai1, Yu-Xiang Lu1
1School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Jiangsu Engineering Lab of Water and Soil Eco-remediation, Wenyuan Road 1, Nanjing 210023, China
Summary
Bioelectrochemically-assisted (BEA) operation significantly enhances nitrogen removal in osmosis membrane bioreactors (OMBRs). This novel approach achieved 98.13% total nitrogen removal, improving wastewater treatment sustainability.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Engineering
- Microbiology
Background:
- Nitrogen removal in osmosis membrane bioreactors (OMBRs) is crucial for wastewater treatment but presents significant challenges.
- Conventional OMBRs often struggle with efficient nitrogen removal, limiting their application scope.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the integration of bioelectrochemically-assisted (BEA) operation into OMBRs to enhance nitrogen removal efficiency.
- To evaluate the impact of different operation modes and influent ammonium concentrations on nitrogen removal.
Main Methods:
- A bioelectrochemically-assisted (BEA) system was integrated into the feed side of an OMBR.
- Sodium acetate was utilized as both a draw solute and a supplementary carbon source for denitrifying bacteria.
- Systematic examination of operation modes and influent ammonium concentrations (NH4+).
Main Results:
- The integrated BEA-OMBR achieved a high total nitrogen removal efficiency of 98.13%.
- Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency reached 95.83% with an influent NH4+-N concentration of 39 mg L-1.
- Sequencing analysis indicated an increased abundance and diversity of key microbial communities, including ammonia-oxidizing, nitrite-oxidizing, and denitrifying bacteria.
Conclusions:
- Bioelectrochemically-assisted (BEA) operation is an effective strategy for enhancing nitrogen removal in OMBRs.
- The BEA-OMBR system demonstrates potential for sustainable wastewater treatment, particularly for high ammonium strength wastewater.
- Future research directions include optimizing nitrogen removal from high ammonium wastewater by recycling anolyte effluent.
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