A Bioelectrochemically-Assisted Membrane Bioreactor for Simultaneous Wastewater Treatment and Energy Production

A bioelectrochemically-assisted membrane bioreactor (BEAMBR), integrating a microbial fuel cell with a membrane bioreactor, was developed for energy recovery and efficient wastewater treatment. The stainless-steel membrane module with biofilm, served not only as dynamic membrane separation device but also as biocathode. The effluent turbidity reached 0.8NTU after stable operation, and particle with average size larger than 1.14m were effectively rejected from the mixed liquor by the dynamic membrane. The BEAMBR successfully removed the chemical oxygen demand and ammonium. With increasing hydraulic retention time and decreasing volumetric organic loading rate, the power production in this reactor was enhanced. The results showed that the BEAMBR is a promising process for efficient energy recovery and wastewater treatment.