APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE BIOELECTROCHEMICAL DENITRIFICATION OF FLUIDS

摘要

The denitrification process in methods using sessile biofilms is a problem that has not been satisfactorily solved in wastewater treatment technologies. Recirculating wastewater or adding synthetic carbon in order to supply an electron donor for oxidizing the nitrate are both complex and expensive solutions. The proposed method avoids said drawbacks and uses organisms that can accept electrons directly from a cathode. Said method is environmentally friendly in several respects: it uses significantly less electricity, the amount of sludge is reduced, and the process is easy to control. Another advantage for the environment is that energy-saving systems using sessile biofilms can be easily and inexpensively retrofitted.