Application of Bioelectrochemical Systems and Anaerobic Additives in Wastewater Treatment: A Conceptual Review

The interspecies electron transfer (IET) between microbes and archaea is the key to how the anaerobic digestion process performs. However, renewable energy technology that utilizes the application of a bioelectrochemical system together with anaerobic additives such as magnetite-nanoparticles can promote both direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) as well as indirect interspecies electron transfer (IIET). This has several advantages, including higher removal of toxic pollutants present in municipal wastewater, higher biomass to renewable energy conversion, and greater electrochemical efficiencies. This review explores the synergistic influence of bioelectrochemical systems and anaerobic additives on the anaerobic digestion of complex substrates such as sewage sludge. The review discussions present the mechanisms and limitations of the conventional anaerobic digestion process. In addition, the applicability of additives in syntrophic, metabolic, catalytic, enzymatic, and cation exchange activities of the anaerobic digestion process are highlighted. The synergistic effect of bio-additives and operational factors of the bioelectrochemical system is explored. It is elucidated that a bioelectrochemical system coupled with nanomaterial additives can increase biogas-methane potential compared to anaerobic digestion. Therefore, the prospects of a bioelectrochemical system for wastewater require research attention.

Automated summary

The application of a bioelectrochemical system together with anaerobic additives can promote both direct and indirect interspecies electron transfer, leading to higher removal of toxic pollutants and conversion of biomass to renewable energy. This review explores the synergistic effect of bioelectrochemical systems and anaerobic additives on the anaerobic digestion of complex substrates. It highlights the mechanisms and limitations of conventional anaerobic digestion and the applicability of additives in various activities of the digestion process. The findings suggest that a bioelectrochemical system coupled with nanomaterial additives can increase biogas-methane potential compared to anaerobic digestion, indicating the potential prospects of this system for wastewater treatment.