Bio-electrochemical System for Wastewater Methane Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wastewater treatment technologies, such as aerobic and anaerobic digestion, are energy-intensive and inefficient, failing to effectively treat water to environmental standards, leading to high costs for industries and municipalities.
Innovation Solution
A bio-electrochemical system comprising a reactor with an anode and cathode in close proximity, facilitated by a power source to enhance methane production and control parameters like pH and chemical oxygen demand, utilizing methanogenic microbes for efficient organic material oxidation and hydrogen-2 reduction, and a two-chamber system for denitrification to reduce chemical oxygen demand and nitrogenous waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If aerobic digestion is used for wastewater treatment, then organic matter is effectively degraded, but energy consumption increases and bio-solids byproducts are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful organic matter in wastewater into beneficial electricity and methane through microbial fuel cells and anaerobic digestion systems. Microorganisms oxidize organic substrates and transfer electrons to electrodes, generating electrical energy while simultaneously removing organic pollution from wastewater.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the organic matter present in the wastewater itself as the fuel source for electricity generation, eliminating the need for external energy input. The microorganisms in the system self-sustain by consuming the organic pollutants and producing energy carriers that drive the treatment process.
2Use of energy by moving object
If anaerobic digestion is used for wastewater treatment, then energy consumption is reduced, but treatment efficiency is insufficient for environmental release standards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges anaerobic digestion with microbial fuel cell technology into a hybrid system. The anaerobic digester breaks down organic matter to produce methane and volatile fatty acids, while the microbial fuel cell simultaneously generates electricity and further treats the effluent, achieving both energy recovery and high-quality water treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system performs multiple functions simultaneously: organic matter degradation, electricity generation, methane production, and wastewater purification to meet environmental standards. This multi-functional approach resolves the contradiction by achieving both energy efficiency and high treatment effectiveness.
3Reliability
If traditional wastewater treatment infrastructure is used, then water treatment is provided, but operational costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts wastewater from a waste stream requiring expensive treatment into a resource that generates electricity and methane. The organic pollutants are transformed into energy carriers that can offset operational costs, while the treatment process maintains reliable water quality standards.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of simply discarding wastewater after treatment, the system recovers energy in the form of electricity and methane from the organic matter. This energy recovery reduces operational costs by offsetting energy requirements and potentially generating revenue from energy sales.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system significantly enhances methane production, reduces chemical oxygen demand, and efficiently treats wastewater, offering a cost-effective and energy-efficient alternative to traditional methods by facilitating exocellular electron transfer and optimizing microbial metabolism.
Implementation Method 1
The voltage facilitates exocellular electron transfer from the anode to the cathode
Implementation Method 2
a bio-electrochemical system for the generation of methane from organic material. The system is comprised of a reactor that includes an anode, a cathode, a methanogenic microbe
Implementation Method 3
the voltage facilitates exocellular electron transfer to methanogenic microbes to initiate a reduction of hydrogen-2 oxidation
Implementation Method 4
methane is generated and organic materials are oxidized at either or each of the anode and cathode
Implementation Method 5
a two-chamber system for denitrification to reduce chemical oxygen demand and nitrogenous waste
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to bio-electrochemical systems for the generation of methane from organic material and for reducing chemical oxygen demand and nitrogenous waste through denitrification. The invention further relates to an electrode for use in, and a system for, the adaptive control of bio-electrochemical systems as well as a fuel cell.