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Updated: Sep 30, 2025
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Electrochemically and Bioelectrochemically Induced Ammonium Recovery
Published on: January 22, 2015
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Nitrogen and organic load removal from anaerobically digested leachate using a hybrid electro-oxidation and
Mahbuboor Rahman Choudhury1, Rajinikanth Rajagopal2, Wesley Meertens3
1Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 Boul de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal, PQ H3G 1M8, Canada; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Manhattan College, 3825 Corlear Ave, The Bronx, NY, 10463, United States.
Journal of Environmental Management
|March 11, 2022
Summary
This study presents an integrated electrochemical process combining electro-oxidation and electro-coagulation for efficient removal of organic and nitrogen pollutants from digester leachate. The novel system significantly improved removal rates and reduced energy consumption compared to electro-oxidation alone.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Electrochemistry
- Wastewater Treatment
Background:
- High-strength leachate from anaerobic digesters presents significant organic and nitrogen pollution challenges.
- Conventional treatment methods often struggle with efficiency and cost-effectiveness for such complex wastewater.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate an integrated electrochemical process combining electro-oxidation (EO) and electro-coagulation (EC) for simultaneous removal of organic and nitrogen loads.
- To optimize the process by investigating the effects of current intensity and pH on pollutant removal efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a single reactor with a bipolar aluminum electrode arrangement integrating EO and EC.
- Tested varying current intensities (0.4 A to 1.0 A) and pH levels (adjusted with HCl).
- Analyzed removal efficiencies for ammonia nitrogen (AN), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), and chemical oxygen demand (COD).
Main Results:
- The integrated EO-EC system showed enhanced removal of AN (33%), TKN (27%), and total nitrogen (24%) compared to EO alone.
- Higher current intensities (≥ 0.6 A) achieved 95%-98% COD removal, with increased AN and TKN removal.
- pH control to 4, 6, or 8 resulted in 100% AN and TKN removal within 6-20 hours.
- The integrated system demonstrated lower energy consumption than EO alone.
Conclusions:
- The integrated electrochemical process is highly effective for treating high-strength leachate, offering superior pollutant removal.
- Optimizing current intensity and pH significantly enhances treatment efficiency and reduces operational time.
- The combined EO-EC approach provides a more energy-efficient and comprehensive solution for leachate treatment.
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