TY - JOUR
T1 - Value added products from wastewater using bioelectrochemical systems
T2 - Current trends and perspectives
AU - Wilberforce, Tabbi
AU - Sayed, Enas Taha
AU - Abdelkareem, Mohammad Ali
AU - Elsaid, Khaled
AU - Olabi, A. G.
PY - 2021/2
Y1 - 2021/2
N2 - The application of bioelectrochemical systems mostly aims to be used for the generation of electricity or chemicals. The quest to generate energy that is both sustainable and environmentally friendly over the last few years has accelerated the growth in research activities in bioelectrochemical cells, namely: microbial fuel cells (MFCs), microbial electrolysis cells (MECs), microbial desalination cells (MDCs), and microbial electrolysis desalination cells (MEDCs). Microbial fuel cells and microbial electrolysis cells are considered the most developed technologies among these various types of bioelectrochemical systems. This investigation, intends to highlight the basic operational characteristics of MFCs and MECs using wastewater as fuel. The prospects associated with this novel technology, along with challenges related to their operation, have all been highlighted in this investigation. The application of bioelectrochemical systems, as well as possible integration with other technologies, have all been critically discussed. Moreover, the current work identified key factors impeding the commercialization of these technologies, including lower efficiencies, mass transfer limitations, porosity, and protonic conductivity. Other factors include the mechanical and chemical stability of materials, along with their biocompatibility. In summary, the application of bioelectrochemical systems futuristically will revolve around energy generation, mitigation of toxic gas emissions, wastewater treatment, bioanalysis, and environmental remediation.
AB - The application of bioelectrochemical systems mostly aims to be used for the generation of electricity or chemicals. The quest to generate energy that is both sustainable and environmentally friendly over the last few years has accelerated the growth in research activities in bioelectrochemical cells, namely: microbial fuel cells (MFCs), microbial electrolysis cells (MECs), microbial desalination cells (MDCs), and microbial electrolysis desalination cells (MEDCs). Microbial fuel cells and microbial electrolysis cells are considered the most developed technologies among these various types of bioelectrochemical systems. This investigation, intends to highlight the basic operational characteristics of MFCs and MECs using wastewater as fuel. The prospects associated with this novel technology, along with challenges related to their operation, have all been highlighted in this investigation. The application of bioelectrochemical systems, as well as possible integration with other technologies, have all been critically discussed. Moreover, the current work identified key factors impeding the commercialization of these technologies, including lower efficiencies, mass transfer limitations, porosity, and protonic conductivity. Other factors include the mechanical and chemical stability of materials, along with their biocompatibility. In summary, the application of bioelectrochemical systems futuristically will revolve around energy generation, mitigation of toxic gas emissions, wastewater treatment, bioanalysis, and environmental remediation.
KW - Challenges
KW - Hybrid with other renewable energies
KW - Microbial electrolysis cell
KW - Microbial fuel cells
KW - Practical limitation
KW - Risk assessment
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85094162189&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214714420306140?via%3Dihub
U2 - 10.1016/j.jwpe.2020.101737
DO - 10.1016/j.jwpe.2020.101737
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85094162189
SN - 2214-7144
VL - 39
JO - Journal of Water Process Engineering
JF - Journal of Water Process Engineering
M1 - 101737
ER -