Sustainable treatment and utilization of source-separated urine and wastewater using bioelectrochemical systems

废水（包括人类尿液）一直被认为是不需要的“废物”，需要通过消耗能源和其他资源来处理。然而，废水中的有机物和营养物质可以转化为电能、氢气和土地肥料（鸟粪石）。本研究将建立利用废水作为能源和营养资源的创新方法。本研究的结果将为废水处理中的主要挑战（即能源消耗、营养物去除和生物固体）提供解决方案。在生物电化学系统（BESs）中，产电细菌氧化有机物并将电子传递到阳极，从而产生电流。这种发电能力使发电和氢气生产成为可能，将有机污染物转化为有用的能源。此外，电极反应诱导离子运动，通过在BESs中放置离子交换膜（IEMs），可以操纵离子运动来浓缩营养离子（铵离子和磷酸盐离子）。高度浓缩的营养物将促进鸟粪石从废水或人类尿液中回收。在传统的废水处理中，生物固体的处理和处置需要很大的成本。我们的初步研究证实了BESs的生物固体产量非常小。进一步的研究将优化BESs以减少生物固体和最大限度地去除底物，表明BESs是污水处理的有前途的替代方案。一项中试规模的研究将展示减少生物固体和能源回收的实际废水处理。通过这项研究，废水处理行业将受益于生物固体减少和能源回收，最大限度地降低总体处理成本。鸟粪石回收将从废水处理中创造利润，也有助于解决全球磷枯竭问题。有效的养分回收将减少自然水系富营养化的风险，保持加拿大的清洁环境。最终，本研究将为加拿大可持续和有效的废水处理和利用提供机会。

Wastewater (including human urine) has been considered as unwanted "waste" that needs to be treated by consuming energy and other resources. However, organics and nutrients in wastewater can be converted into electricity, hydrogen gas, and land fertilizers (struvite). This research will establish innovative methods to utilize wastewater as a resource for energy and nutrients. Outcomes of this research will provide solutions to the major challenges in wastewater treatment (i.e., energy consumption, nutrient removal, and biosolids). In bioelectrochemical systems (BESs), exoelectrogenic bacteria oxidize organic matter and transfer electrons to the anode, creating electric current. This electrogenic capability enables electric power generation and hydrogen gas production, converting organic contaminants into useful energy sources. In addition, electrode reactions induce ionic movement that can be manipulated to concentrate nutrient ions (ammonium and phosphate ions), by schematically placing ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) in BESs. Highly concentrated nutrients will facilitate struvite recovery from wastewater or human urine. Biosolids treatment and disposal require the major costs in conventional wastewater treatment. Our preliminary study confirmed a very small biosolids production in BESs. Further investigation will optimize BESs for minimal biosolids and maximal substrate removal, suggesting BESs as a promising alternative for wastewater treatment. A pilot-scale study will demonstrate practical wastewater treatment with reduced biosolids and energy recovery. From this research, the wastewater treatment industry will be benefitted with biosolids reduction and energy recovery, minimizing the overall treatment costs. Struvite recovery will create profits from wastewater treatment and also help resolve global phosphorus depletion. Effective nutrient recovery will reduce risks of eutrophication in natural water systems, maintaining a clean environment in Canada. Eventually, this research will provide opportunities to Canada for sustainable and effective wastewater treatment and utilization.