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Updated: Sep 17, 2025

Evaluation of Integrated Anaerobic Digestion and Hydrothermal Carbonization for Bioenergy Production
Published on: June 15, 2014
Biohybrid-based pyroelectric bio-denitrification driven by temperature fluctuations
Jie Ye1, Shuhui Wang1,2, Chaohui Yang1
1Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.
Abstract:
Bio-denitrification is vital in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), yet its integration with naturally abundant thermal energy remains unexplored. Here, we introduce a biohybrid-based pyroelectric bio-denitrification (BHPD) process that harnesses thermoelectric energy from ambient temperature fluctuations. By integrating Thiobacillus denitrificans with tungsten disulfide (WS2), we develop a biohybrid system that achieves complete denitrification over three 5-day cycles under 5 °C temperature fluctuations. WS2 either precipitates on the cellular surface or is internalized by cells, generating pyroelectric charges that serve as reducing equivalents to drive bio-denitrification. In real wastewater, the BHPD process enhances nitrate removal by up to 8.09-fold under natural temperature fluctuations compared to stable-temperature conditions. Life-cycle assessment demonstrates that the BHPD process has significantly lower environmental impacts than the conventional anaerobic-anoxic-oxic process, and cost analysis confirms its economic feasibility. Our findings highlight the potential of the pyroelectric effect in enhancing bio-denitrification, offering valuable insights for a paradigm shift in WWTPs.
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