RESEARCH
MICROBIAL ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
Microbial electrochemical cells (MxCs) are devices in which anode-respiring bacteria break down wastewater organics and respire to an electrode, generating an electrical current. MxCs provide a flexible platform via which the chemical energy in wastewater organics can be converted to electrical energy, or be used to drive the production of a suite of speciality chemicals. We focus on MxCs in which hydrogen peroxide, an important chemical in relation to water and wastewater treatment, is produced at the cathode. Our research focus is on enhancing peroxide production in MxCs. We also study the applicability of MxCs in treating high strength waste streams, such as blackwater from space flights or military bases, wastewater from rendering plants, and landfill leachate.
Microbial electrochemical cells (MxCs) are devices in which anode-respiring bacteria break down wastewater organics and respire to an electrode, generating an electrical current. MxCs provide a flexible platform via which the chemical energy in wastewater organics can be converted to electrical energy, or be used to drive the production of a suite of speciality chemicals. We focus on MxCs in which hydrogen peroxide, an important chemical in relation to water and wastewater treatment, is produced at the cathode. Our research focus is on enhancing peroxide production in MxCs. We also study the applicability of MxCs in treating high strength waste streams, such as blackwater from space flights or military bases, wastewater from rendering plants, and landfill leachate.
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
Anaerobic digestion is an age old process of using an anaerobic microbial consortium to break down particulate organics to produce methane. The idea of co-digesting multiple different types of wastes has gained attention in recent time due to operational advantages. The co-digestion of fats, oils and grease (FOG) with municipal sludge at wastewater treatment plants could lead to enhanced methane production. However, the loading of lipids in such systems needs to be optimized to avoid microbial inhibition. We use a combination of process engineering principles and molecular microbiology tools to optimize anaerobic co-digesiton of FOG with sludge.
Anaerobic digestion is an age old process of using an anaerobic microbial consortium to break down particulate organics to produce methane. The idea of co-digesting multiple different types of wastes has gained attention in recent time due to operational advantages. The co-digestion of fats, oils and grease (FOG) with municipal sludge at wastewater treatment plants could lead to enhanced methane production. However, the loading of lipids in such systems needs to be optimized to avoid microbial inhibition. We use a combination of process engineering principles and molecular microbiology tools to optimize anaerobic co-digesiton of FOG with sludge.
