Solid slow-release carbon source assembled microbial fuel cell for promoting superior nitrogen removal in an aerobic granular sludge bioreactor

Although the coupling process of microbial fuel cell (MFC) and activated sludge is widely used for organic matter removal and electric energy recovery, the problem of high effluent nitrate still exists due to the lack of influent carbon source. Herein, a poly (butanediol succinate) (PBS) assembled MFC was established in an aerobic granular sludge (AGS) bioreactor for simultaneous promoting nitrogen removal and electricity generation. Compared to AGS-Control group, the total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) and COD removal efficiencies of AGS-MFC group were improved to 84.3 +/- 2.6% and 93.5 +/- 0.5% after 100-days operation. The average output voltage and the maximum power density of the MFC module were 223.7 mV and 59.6 mW/m2, respectively. Through high-throughput sequencing analysis, Thauera-related denitrifying bacteria had the highest relative abundances (20.0% and 31.4%) in both bioreactors. The relative abundance of Nitrosomonas-related ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in AGS-MFC (1.8%) was enriched than AGS-Control (1.1%). In MFC module, Thauera (16.2%) with denitrification and power generation was dominant in anodic biofilms under PBS enhancement. This study provides scientific basis for the application of submersible MFC enhanced deep nitrogen removal under aerobic conditions.

Automated summary

This study established a microbial fuel cell (MFC) assembled with poly(butanediol succinate) (PBS) in an aerobic granular sludge (AGS) bioreactor for simultaneous nitrogen removal and electricity generation. The results showed that the AGS-MFC group achieved significantly improved total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) and COD removal efficiencies, as well as increased average output voltage and maximum power density in the MFC module after 100 days of operation. High-throughput sequencing analysis revealed that Thauera-related denitrifying bacteria had the highest relative abundances in both bioreactors, while the relative abundance of Nitrosomonas-related ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) was enriched in the AGS-MFC group.