Integrated System Converts Wastewater to Water and Fertilizer with Bioelectricity
A novel electrically assisted forward osmosis-microbial desalination cell system enhances nutrient recovery and water treatment efficiency. This innovative approach addresses growing demands for water and fertilizer amidst energy constraints.
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Researchers from Temple University and New Jersey Institute of Technology have developed an integrated electrically assisted forward osmosis (eFO)-microbial desalination cell (MDC) system, achieving 184% higher nutrient recovery, 57% increased water flux, and 45% greater desalination efficiency compared to traditional methods. The system utilizes bioelectricity from microbial oxidation to facilitate ion migration and generate struvite fertilizer from synthetic livestock wastewater.
Key performance metrics include power generation exceeding 7.0 milliwatts by the MDC, with the eFO module requiring less than 1.0 milliwatt. A techno-economic assessment indicates treatment costs could decrease from $10.2 to $3.3 per cubic meter with scale-up. The findings suggest potential applications in decentralized wastewater treatment and resource recovery facilities.
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