Optimizing Physical Factors for the Ammonium Removal from Wastewater Using Bio-Electrochemical Systems

Waste streams, leachates, and wastewater often contain high-strength ammonia, which can be challenging to manage. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer a promising solution for treating such a nuisance of high-strength ammonia. However, optimizing MFC operating conditions, at lower technology readiness levels, is crucial to achieve a sustainable and economically viable application. This study investigates the factors affecting ammonia nitrogen removal in MFCs. MFCs with a cation exchange membrane (CEM) exhibit a higher diffusion rate of ammonium ions from the anode to the cathode compared to those with a proton exchange membrane (PEM). In close circuit mode (CCM), MFCs with a Pt-coated cathode electrode achieved an ammonium removal efficiency of 96% in the cathode chamber. Moreover, a plain carbon cathode electrode yielded an 87.1% removal efficiency. These results indicate that the combination of a catalyst (Pt) and oxygen in the cathode chamber can effectively remove or recover ammonia nitrogen from wastewater. Simultaneously, the removal of ammonia nitrogen in a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) was studied. At an applied potential of 1.0 V, an ammonium removal efficiency of 87.5% was achieved. It was concluded that ammonium losses in MFCs can occur through electron migration, volatilization, and biological processes such as nitrification and denitrification.