Environment

Zaps of electricity clean up wastewater from biofuel production

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Lead researcher Julia Ciarlini Jungers Soares holds "Before and After" samples of the wastewater
Julia Ciarlini Jungers Soares, University of Sydney
Lead researcher Julia Ciarlini Jungers Soares holds "Before and After" samples of the wastewater
Julia Ciarlini Jungers Soares, University of Sydney
A sample of the wastewater before, during and after the electrochemical oxidation process
Julia Ciarlini Jungers Soares, University of Sydney

Scientists are getting creative with new ways to produce fuels and electricity, but they can introduce their own problems too. Making biofuel from algae, for example, is showing promise, but it does create large amounts of toxic wastewater. Now, researchers in Australia have found a way to clean up that wastewater, with a simple and scalable electrical process.

The study started as an offshoot of another project where a team of scientists at the University of Sydney are running a pilot plant that’s farming microalgae, for the purpose of producing biofuels. Through a process called hydrothermal liquefaction, the algae biomass is converted into a high-energy substance similar to crude oil, which can be used as a kind of “green” fuel.

The problem is, the process creates large amounts of heavily contaminated wastewater that contains high levels of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus. To make sure that this alternative fuel source is as environmentally friendly as possible, the researchers set out to find a way to clean up that water.

The team used a technique called electrochemical oxidation, which involves placing two electrodes into the water, one of which is made of diamond coated in boron. By sending an electrical current through, oxidation reactions are triggered at the surface of the electrodes, which converts many of the contaminants into less harmful products.

“We have employed an incredibly powerful process that eliminates even the most persistent non-biodegradable pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides, as well as various classes of organic compounds that can be found in many industrial effluents,” says Julia Ciarlini Jungers Soares, lead author of the study. “The process is relatively simple, does not require the addition of chemicals or severe operation conditions, and does not produce additional waste streams.”

A sample of the wastewater before, during and after the electrochemical oxidation process
Julia Ciarlini Jungers Soares, University of Sydney

The team reports that the electrochemical oxidation process removed up to 99 percent of the carbon from the water, and cleared out 96 percent of the unsightly color. Nitrogen was converted from organic to inorganic forms like ammonia and nitrate.

These aren’t ideal to still have in water, but are less hazardous than other forms. That means this newly-cleaned water probably isn’t up to code for drinking, but it could still find similar use to recycled water, for things like watering gardens, washing vehicles, agriculture, firefighting and other industrial uses.

The team says the method is relatively simple, and could be scaled up to treat wastewater from industries like pulp and paper processing, wineries, pharmaceutical production and other facilities.

The research was published in the journal Algae Research.

Source: University of Sydney

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2 comments
Karmudjun
Brilliant article, these are the kinds of 'out of the box' thinking and research we need to move the energy research into reality. From the promise of nice, clean, non-polluting nuclear power with century requiring depositories for the spent fuel - and sarcophagus construction for decommissioned plants - we definitely need to think outside of the box in energy research. Thanks for the synopsis.....any timeline for applying the electrochemical oxidation to municipal waste waters or the cost and lifespan of the electrodes doing the work?
Kanchan
Indeed Insightful! Moreover Rise in fuel prices are bound to happen due to future crisis. No wonder we have snatched all the crude oil from this planet. Biofuel is one of the most realistic & dependable solution for the fuel. The companies & nations are trying hard to incorporate the means to normalize using biofuel. Thanks to scientists & Researchers for bringing such inventions. You are incredible. Even Companies like Aris Bioenergy & other companies are producing fuels from cooking oil creating a great infrastructure. Biofuel is a hot yet needful topic.