Simultaneously recovering electricity and water from wastewater by osmotic microbial fuel cells: Performance and membrane fouling

doi:10.1007/s11783-018-1049-4

Front. Environ. Sci. Eng.

2018, Vol. 12

Issue (4) : 5 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-018-1049-4

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Simultaneously recovering electricity and water from wastewater by osmotic microbial fuel cells: Performance and membrane fouling

Yuqin Lu¹, Xiao Bian², Hailong Wang¹, Xinhua Wang¹(

), Yueping Ren¹, Xiufen Li¹(

)

¹. Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
². School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

Download: PDF(562 KB) HTML
Export: BibTeX | EndNote | Reference Manager | ProCite | RefWorks

Abstract

OsMFC can simultaneously recover electricity and water from wastewater.

Membrane fouling played an important role in flux decline of FO membrane in OsMFCs.

Biofouling was the major fouling of the FO membrane in OsMFCs.

The growth of biofouling layer on the FO membrane can be divided into three stages.

Microorganisms were the dominant biofoulant in the biofouling layer.

Since the concept of the osmotic microbial fuel cell (OsMFC) was introduced in 2011, it has attracted growing interests for its potential applications in wastewater treatment and energy recovery. However, forward osmosis (FO) membrane fouling resulting in a severe water flux decline remains a main obstacle. Until now, the fouling mechanisms of FO membrane especially the development of biofouling layer in the OsMFC are not yet clear. Here, the fouling behavior of FO membrane in OsMFCs was systematically investigated. The results indicated that a thick fouling layer including biofouling and inorganic fouling was existed on the FO membrane surface. Compared to the inorganic fouling, the biofouling played a more important role in the development of the fouling layer. Further analyses by the confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) implied that the growth of biofouling layer on the FO membrane surface in the OsMFC could be divided into three stages. Initially, microorganisms associated with b-D-glucopyranose polysaccharides were deposited on the FO membrane surface. After that, the microorganisms grew into a biofilm caused a quick decrease of water flux. Subsequently, some of microorganisms were dead due to lack of nutrient source, in the meantime, polysaccharide and proteins in the biofouling layer were decomposed as nutrient source, thus leading to a slow development of the biofouling layer. Moreover, the microorganisms played a significant role in the formation and development of the biofouling layer, and further studies are needed to mitigate the deposition of microorganisms on FO membrane surfaces in OsMFCs.

Keywords Microbial fuel cell Forward osmosis Membrane fouling Biofouling Wastewater treatment

Corresponding Author(s): Xinhua Wang,Xiufen Li

Issue Date: 27 June 2018

Cite this article:

Yuqin Lu,Xiao Bian,Hailong Wang, et al. Simultaneously recovering electricity and water from wastewater by osmotic microbial fuel cells: Performance and membrane fouling[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2018, 12(4): 5.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/10.1007/s11783-018-1049-4
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/Y2018/V12/I4/5

Fig.1 Schematic diagram of the OsMFC

Fig.2 Electricity generation (a), power density and polarization curves (b) of the OsMFC

Fig.3 Variations of TOC (a), NH₄⁺-N (b), TN (c) and TP (d) concentrations in the influent, anolyte, catholyte and FO permeate in the end of each cycle

Fig.4 Variations of water flux of the FO membrane and the conductivity of the anolyte and catholyte in the end of each cycle

Fig.5 Photoes, SEM images and EDX results of virgin (a, b, c) and fouled (d, e, f) FO membranes in the OsMFC

Fig.6 CLSM images of α-D-glucopyranose polysaccharides (a), ß-D-glucopyranose polysaccharides (b), proteins (c) and total cells (d) in the FO fouling layer

Fig.7 CLSM images of α-D-glucopyranose polysaccharides (a), ß-D-glucopyranose polysaccharides (b), proteins (c) and total cells (d) at different thicknesses of fouling layer on the FO membrane surface

Fig.8 Changes in the spatial and temporal distributions of bio-polymers and microorganisms in the cake layer in the OsMFC system

1	APHA (2012).Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association
2	Cath T Y, Childress A E, Elimelech M (2006). Forward osmosis: Principles, applications, and recent developments. J Membr Sci, 281(1–2): 70–87 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2006.05.048
3	Chen L, Gu Y, Cao C, Zhang J, Ng J W, Tang C (2014). Performance of a submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor with forward osmosis membrane for low-strength wastewater treatment. Water Res, 50: 114–123 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2013.12.009 pmid: 24374126
4	Ge Z, He Z (2012). Effects of draw solutions and membrane conditions on electricity generation and water flux in osmotic microbial fuel cells. Bioresour Technol, 109(2): 70–76 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2012.01.044 pmid: 22305538
5	Ge Z, Ping Q Y, Xiao L, He Z (2013). Reducing effluent discharge and recovering bioenergy in an osmotic microbial fuel cell treating domestic wastewater. Desalination, 312: 52–59 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2012.08.036
6	He Z (2012). One more function for microbial fuel cells in treating wastewater: producing high-quality water. Chemik, 66: 7–10
7	Lefebvre O, Tan Z, Kharkwal S, Ng H Y (2012). Effect of increasing anodic NaCl concentration on microbial fuel cell performance. Bioresour Technol, 112(3): 336–340 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2012.02.048 pmid: 22414574
8	Li W W, Yu H Q, He Z (2014). Towards sustainable wastewater treatment by using microbial fuel cells-centered technologies. Energy Environ Sci, 7(3): 911–924 https://doi.org/10.1039/C3EE43106A
9	Lin H, Gao W, Meng F, Liao B Q, Leung K T, Zhao L, Chen J, Hong H (2012). Membrane bioreactors for industrial wastewater treatment: A critical review. Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol, 42(7): 677–740 https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2010.526494
10	Liu J, Wang X, Wang Z, Lu Y, Li X, Ren Y (2017). Integrating microbial fuel cells with anaerobic acidification and forward osmosis membrane for enhancing bio-electricity and water recovery from low-strength wastewater. Water Res, 110: 74–82 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2016.12.012 pmid: 27998785
11	Logan B E, Hamelers B, Rozendal R, Schröder U, Keller J, Freguia S, Aelterman P, Verstraete W, Rabaey K (2006). Microbial fuel cells: Methodology and technology. Environ Sci Technol, 40(17): 5181–5192 https://doi.org/10.1021/es0605016 pmid: 16999087
12	Mahan Y, Das D (2009). Effect of ionic strength, cation exchanger and inoculum age on the performance of microbial fuel cell. Int J Hydrogen Energy, 34(17): 7542–7546 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2009.05.101
13	Mccutcheon J R, Elimelech M (2006). Influence of concentrative and dilutive internal concentration polarization on flux behavior in forward osmosis. J Membr Sci, 284(1): 237–247 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2006.07.049
14	Mi B, Elimelech M (2008). Chemical and physical aspects of organic fouling of forward osmosis membranes. J Membr Sci, 320(1): 292–302 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2008.04.036
15	Pant D, Van Bogaert G, Diels L, Vanbroekhoven K (2010). A review of the substrates used in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) for sustainable energy production. Bioresour Technol, 101(6): 1533–1543 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2009.10.017 pmid: 19892549
16	Qin M, Ping Q, Lu Y, Abu-Reesh I M, He Z (2015). Understanding electricity generation in osmotic microbial fuel cells through integrated experimental investigation and mathematical modeling. Bioresour Technol, 195: 194–201 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2015.06.013 pmid: 26091574
17	Qin M H, Hynes E A, Abu-Reesh I M, He Z (2017). Ammonium removal from synthetic wastewater promoted by current generation and water flux in an osmotic microbial fuel cell. J Clean Prod, 149: 856–862 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.02.169
18	Tang C Y, She Q, Loong W C L, Wang R, Fane A G (2010). Coupled effects of internal concentration polarization and fouling on flux behavior of forward osmosis membranes during humic acid filtration. J Membr Sci, 354(1): 123–133 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2010.02.059
19	Wang X, Chen Y, Yuan B, Li X, Ren Y (2014b). Impacts of sludge retention time on sludge characteristics and membrane fouling in a submerged osmotic membrane bioreactor. Bioresour Technol, 161(3): 340–347 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2014.03.058 pmid: 24727693
20	Wang X, Hu T, Wang Z, Li X, Ren Y (2017a). Permeability recovery of fouled forward osmosis membranes by chemical cleaning during a long-term operation of anaerobic osmotic membrane bioreactors treating low-strength wastewater. Water Res, 123: 505–512 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2017.07.011 pmid: 28692923
21	Wang X, Yuan B, Chen Y, Li X, Ren Y (2014a). Integration of micro-filtration into osmotic membrane bioreactors to prevent salinity build-up. Bioresour Technol, 167(2): 116–123 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2014.05.121 pmid: 24973772
22	Wang X, Zhao Y, Yuan B, Wang Z, Li X, Ren Y (2016b). Comparison of biofouling mechanisms between cellulose triacetate (CTA) and thin-film composite (TFC) polyamide forward osmosis membranes in osmotic membrane bioreactors. Bioresour Technol, 202: 50–58 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2015.11.087 pmid: 26700758
23	Wang X H, Chang V W C, Tang C Y (2016a). Osmotic membrane bioreactor (OMBR) technology for wastewater treatment and reclamation: Advances, challenges, and prospects for the future. J Membr Sci, 504: 113–132 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2016.01.010
24	Wang X H, Wang C, Tang C Y, Li X F, Ren Y P (2017b). Development of a novel anaerobic membrane bioreactor simultaneously integrating microfiltration and forward membranes for low-strength wastewater treatment. J Membr Sci, 527: 1–7 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2016.12.062
25	Wang X H, Zhang J F, Chang V W C, She Q H, Tang C Y (2018). Removal of cytostatic drugs from wastewater by an anaerobic osmotic membrane bioreactor. Chem Eng J, 339: 153–161 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2018.01.125
26	Wang X H, Zhao Y X, Li X F, Ren Y P (2017c). Performance evaluation of a microfiltration-osmotic membrane bioreactor (MF-OMBR) during removing silver nanoparticles from simulated wastewater. Chem Eng J, 313: 171–178 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2016.12.077
27	Wang Z W, Wu Z C, Ying X, Tian L (2008). Membrane fouling in a submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR) under sub-critical flux operation: Membrane foulant and gel layer characterization. J Membr Sci, 325(1): 238–244 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2008.07.035
28	Werner C M, Logan B E, Saikaly P E, Amy G L (2013). Wastewater treatment, energy recovery and desalination using a forward osmosis membrane in an air-cathode microbial osmotic fuel cell. J Membr Sci, 428(428): 116–122 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2012.10.031
29	Xie M, Bar-Zeev E, Hashmi S M, Nghiem L D, Elimelech M (2015). Role of Reverse Divalent Cation Diffusion in Forward Osmosis Biofouling. Environ Sci Technol, 49(22): 13222–13229 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5b02728 pmid: 26503882
30	Yang E, Chae K J, Alayande A B, Kim K Y, Kim I S (2016). Concurrent performance improvement and biofouling mitigation in osmotic microbial fuel cells using a silver nanoparticle-polydopamine coated forward osmosis membrane. J Membr Sci, 513: 217–225 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2016.04.028
31	Yuan B, Wang X, Tang C, Li X, Yu G (2015). In situ observation of the growth of biofouling layer in osmotic membrane bioreactors by multiple fluorescence labeling and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Water Res, 75: 188–200 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2015.02.048 pmid: 25770441
32	Zhang F, Brastad K S, He Z (2011). Integrating forward osmosis into microbial fuel cells for wastewater treatment, water extraction and bioelectricity generation. Environ Sci Technol, 45(15): 6690–6696 https://doi.org/10.1021/es201505t pmid: 21751820
33	Zhang F, Jacobson K S, Torres P, He Z (2010). Effects of anolyte recirculation rates and catholytes on electricity generation in a liter-scale upflow microbial fuel cell. Energy Environ Sci, 3(9): 1347–1352 https://doi.org/10.1039/c001201g
34	Zhang J S, Loong W C L, Chou S, Tang C Y, Wang R, Fane A G (2012). Membrane biofouling and scaling in forward osmosis membrane bioreactor. J Membr Sci, 403: 8–14 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2012.01.032
35	Zhu W J, Wang X H, She Q H, Li X F, Ren Y P (2018). Osmotic membrane bioreactors assisted with microfiltration membrane for salinity control (MF-OMBR) operating at high sludge concentrations: Performance and implications. Chem Eng J, 337: 576–583 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2017.12.148
36	Zhu X Z, Zhang F, Li W W, Li J, Li L L, Yu H Q, Huang M S, Huang T Y (2016). Insights into enhanced current generation of an osmotic microbial fuel cell under membrane fouling condition. J Membr Sci, 504: 40–46 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2015.12.050
37	Zhu X Z, Zhang F, Li W W, Liu H Q, Wang Y K, Huang M S (2015). Forward osmosis membrane favors an improved proton flux and electricity generation in microbial fuel cells. Desalination, 372: 26–31 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2015.06.011

[1]

FSE-18018-OF-LYQ_suppl_1

Download

[1]	Kangying Guo, Baoyu Gao, Jie Wang, Jingwen Pan, Qinyan Yue, Xing Xu. Flocculation behaviors of a novel papermaking sludge-based flocculant in practical printing and dyeing wastewater treatment[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(5): 103-.
[2]	Hao Wang, Defang Ma, Weiye Shi, Zhiyu Yang, Yun Cai, Baoyu Gao. Formation of disinfection by-products during sodium hypochlorite cleaning of fouled membranes from membrane bioreactors[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(5): 102-.
[3]	Danyang Liu, Johny Cabrera, Lijuan Zhong, Wenjing Wang, Dingyuan Duan, Xiaomao Wang, Shuming Liu, Yuefeng F. Xie. Using loose nanofiltration membrane for lake water treatment: A pilot study[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(4): 69-.
[4]	Shujuan Meng, Rui Wang, Kaijing Zhang, Xianghao Meng, Wenchao Xue, Hongju Liu, Dawei Liang, Qian Zhao, Yu Liu. Transparent exopolymer particles (TEPs)-associated protobiofilm: A neglected contributor to biofouling during membrane filtration[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(4): 64-.
[5]	Yunping Han, Lin Li, Ying Wang, Jiawei Ma, Pengyu Li, Chao Han, Junxin Liu. Composition, dispersion, and health risks of bioaerosols in wastewater treatment plants: A review[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(3): 38-.
[6]	Shuo Wei, Lei Du, Shuo Chen, Hongtao Yu, Xie Quan. Electro-assisted CNTs/ceramic flat sheet ultrafiltration membrane for enhanced antifouling and separation performance[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(1): 11-.
[7]	Jiandong Lu, Shijie You, Xiuheng Wang. Forward osmosis coupled with lime-soda ash softening for volume minimization of reverse osmosis concentrate and CaCO₃ recovery: A case study on the coal chemical industry[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(1): 9-.
[8]	Wenyue Li, Min Chen, Zhaoxiang Zhong, Ming Zhou, Weihong Xing. Hydroxyl radical intensified Cu₂O NPs/H₂O₂ process in ceramic membrane reactor for degradation on DMAc wastewater from polymeric membrane manufacturer[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2020, 14(6): 102-.
[9]	An Ding, Yingxue Zhao, Huu Hao Ngo, Langming Bai, Guibai Li, Heng Liang, Nanqi Ren, Jun Nan. Metabolic uncoupler, 3,3′,4′,5-tetrachlorosalicylanilide addition for sludge reduction and fouling control in a gravity-driven membrane bioreactor[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2020, 14(6): 96-.
[10]	An Ding, Yingxue Zhao, Zhongsen Yan, Langming Bai, Haiyang Yang, Heng Liang, Guibai Li, Nanqi Ren. Co-application of energy uncoupling and ultrafiltration in sludge treatment: Evaluations of sludge reduction, supernatant recovery and membrane fouling control[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2020, 14(4): 59-.
[11]	Wenchao Xue, May Zaw, Xiaochan An, Yunxia Hu, Allan Sriratana Tabucanon. Sea salt bittern-driven forward osmosis for nutrient recovery from black water: A dual waste-to-resource innovation via the osmotic membrane process[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2020, 14(2): 32-.
[12]	Xingguo Guo, Qiuying Wang, Ting Xu, Kajia Wei, Mengxi Yin, Peng Liang, Xia Huang, Xiaoyuan Zhang. One-step ball milling-prepared nano Fe₂O₃ and nitrogen-doped graphene with high oxygen reduction activity and its application in microbial fuel cells[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2020, 14(2): 30-.
[13]	Luxi Zou, Huaibo Li, Shuo Wang, Kaikai Zheng, Yan Wang, Guocheng Du, Ji Li. Characteristic and correlation analysis of influent and energy consumption of wastewater treatment plants in Taihu Basin[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2019, 13(6): 83-.
[14]	Jiuhui Qu, Hongchen Wang, Kaijun Wang, Gang Yu, Bing Ke, Han-Qing Yu, Hongqiang Ren, Xingcan Zheng, Ji Li, Wen-Wei Li, Song Gao, Hui Gong. Municipal wastewater treatment in China: Development history and future perspectives[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2019, 13(6): 88-.
[15]	Yuhan Zheng, Zhiguo Su, Tianjiao Dai, Feifei Li, Bei Huang, Qinglin Mu, Chuanping Feng, Donghui Wen. Identifying human-induced influence on microbial community: A comparative study in the effluent-receiving areas in Hangzhou Bay[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2019, 13(6): 90-.

Viewed

Full text

Abstract

Cited

Shared

Discussed