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Transformation of organic wastewater into biomethane using a bioelectrochemical system with varying applied voltages

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  • Wang, Peike
  • Zhang, Min
  • Yan, Tianyu
  • Kang, Kang
  • Sun, Guotao

Abstract

The microbial electrocatalytic anaerobic reactor (MEAR) features a unique bioelectrochemical system that enhances the efficiency of anaerobic digestion. This study investigates the impact of applied voltage magnitude on methane production characteristics in the MEAR. Results indicate that the reactor, when subjected to an applied voltage of 0.80 V, exhibited the highest utilization of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), chemical oxygen degradation (COD) removal, and total phenol removal (60.41 %, 81.42 %, and 76.24 %, respectively). Concurrently, it demonstrated the highest cumulative methane production (27.10 mL) at this voltage, marking a significant 36.66 % increase compared to the control group. Electrochemical tests revealed that the MEAR at 0.80 V surpassed other reactors in terms of electrochemical reaction polarization, charge transfer resistance, and hindered electrochemical reaction. Furthermore, microbial structure analysis highlighted greater abundance and diversity in bacterial populations compared to archaeal communities. Dominant bacterial phyla included Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, Synergistota, and Spirochaetota, while Halobacterota and Crenarchaeota dominated the archaeal phyla.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Peike & Zhang, Min & Yan, Tianyu & Kang, Kang & Sun, Guotao, 2025. "Transformation of organic wastewater into biomethane using a bioelectrochemical system with varying applied voltages," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 248(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:248:y:2025:i:c:s096014812500758x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.123096
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    References listed on IDEAS

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