Question 1

What is the main aim of the project?

Accepted Answer

To upgrade bioelectrochemical NH₃ recovery from the liquid fraction of digestate (from a biogas plant treating sewage sludge), enabling simultaneous energy recovery (as hydrogen) and treatment of the water (removal of organics and nutrients). To define the optimal membrane(s) and best GDE to yield a recovery up to 50 g N/m²·d at liter scale in the most efficient and sustainable manner. To position this technology in the current frame of NH₃ recovery in wastewater treatment plant systems.

Question 2

What are the key methodologies and experimental approaches being used?

Accepted Answer

Comparison of different MEC configurations with bioanode for degrading organic contaminants, an abiotic cathode for hydrogen production, and an NH₃ recovery unit. Enhancement of NH₃ recovery involves optimizing anode performance at different N/COD ratios, as well as screening and optimizing membranes.

Question 3

What specific hypothesis is being tested?

Accepted Answer

That NH₃ recovery rate and efficiency can be improved through material and process optimisation and enhanced energy capture in the form of hydrogen.

Question 4

What type(s) of culture or model systems will be used to test the hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

Bioanode degrading organic contaminants from high N-strength liquid streams (digestate from sewage sludge).

Question 5

What are the expected outcomes of the research?

Accepted Answer

An energy-efficient enhanced MET for NH₃ recovery with improved NH₃ recovery rate and efficiency, establishing the foundations for future scale-up.

Question 6

What are the main challenges or risks associated with the project?

Accepted Answer

Optimisation of anode performance at different N/COD ratios, identification and optimisation of the best membrane, and overall process efficiency, with particular attention to long term operation and mitigating performance losses during scale-up.

Question 7

Who are the key collaborators involved?

Accepted Answer

Tampereen Korkeakoulusaatio (TAU) (https://www.tuni.fi/en)for anode performance optimisation; LEITAT (https://leitat.org/es/)for membrane identification and optimisation; AERIS (https://aeris.es/)for techno-economic analysis of bioelectrochemical NH₃ recovery.

DC7

THE SUPERVISORS

THE CANDIDATE