Hydrophobic membranes for ammonia recovery from digestates in microbial electrolysis cells: Assessment of different configurations

The combination of hydrophobic membranes and microbial electrolysis cells (MEC) was assessed in two different configurations order to recover ammonia from anaerobically digested pig slurry. Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) were inserted both an H-type three-chamber cell (MEC-H) a two-chamber sandwich configuration MEC (MEC-S), fitted with cationic exchange membrane (CEM) dividing the anode cathode compartments. use electrochemical techniques such as impedance spectroscopy applied monitor increase biofilm on anode, related decrease charge transfer resistance. When operated higher organic loading rate (28 ± 5 kg COD m−3 d−1) current density produced MEC-H 1.40 0.71 A m−2, compared 0.61 0.28 m−2 MEC-S. flux ammonium through CEM 3.4 1.2 g N h−1. Regarding recovery membrane, 1.5 0.7 h−1 MEC-S, respectively, mainly governed by pH value concentration catholyte. reveals suitable technology for treatment high strength wastewater livestock manure.