Municipal wastewater treatment plants play a critical role in environmental protection, but the operations of such plants consume an extensive amount of energy.
An ongoing challenge to sustainability is developing improved wastewater management with reduced energy demands and increased energy recovery from waste.
In this novel system, wastewater is fed into the microbial fuel cells (MFCs) where organic contaminants are converted into bio-electricity; the remaining nutrients are then discharged into an algal bioreactor for algal growth, which strips nutrients out of the water before the treated effluent is released for final treatment (e.g., disinfection). The two treatment processes are cooperatively linked for the same purpose of treating wastewater, with two different bioenergy products: bioelectricity from the MFCs, and algal biomass for biofuels production. Overall, the system hopes to combine previous methods of wastewater removal processes in order to achieve the most energy efficient method possible.
US 9130216 – Integrated photo-bioelectrochemical systems
This technology is part of an active and ongoing research program and is seeking partners for development of the final product. It is available for developmental research support/licensing under either exclusive or non-exclusive terms.
Dr. Zhen (Jason) He
Dr. Zhen (Jason) He is a former Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
For further information please contact:
Jessica Silvaggi, Ph.D., C.L.P. | Director of Technology Commercialization UWM Research Foundation | 1440 East North Avenue | Milwaukee, WI 53202
Tel: 414-906-4654
Please reference: OTT ID. 1265