Industrial Wastewater Solution for High-Concentration BOD Using Microbial Fuel Cell Technology

An onsite biological treatment solution utilizing microbial fuel cell technology to remove high-concentration BOD from industrial wastewater. Designed for food and beverage, distilleries, and other high-strength wastewater generators, the system reduces environmental impact while improving operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.

The technique is a biological industrial wastewater treatment system that leverages microbial fuel cell technology to remove total suspended solids and high-concentration biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) from industrial wastewater streams. Designed for on-site deployment, it treats wastewater at the point of generation, eliminating the need for hauling or centralized processing.

Operation:
The system uses naturally occurring microorganisms that consume organic matter in the wastewater. As they metabolize the pollutants, they generate electrons that are captured as a small electrical current, providing both treatment and energy recovery in one process. In BETT, organic matter is biologically digested to dissolved bicarbonate and CO2. Some carbon is also biologically assimilated through biofilm maintenance and sequestered from the carbon balance. Bicarbonate stays in solution until a saturation point is reached, or the pH changes. The bicarbonate and CO2 that is generated leave the system in solution or are captured during degassing of the reactors and used to re-buffer the solution. The modular, containerized design allows it to be scaled and integrated either as a pre-treatment or post-treatment step.

Environmental Purpose and Driving Force:
The system was developed in response to increasing industrial demands for energy-efficient, space-saving, and low-sludge wastewater treatment solutions that support circular economy goals and CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) compliance. It is especially valuable in regions where water scarcity and high discharge costs are concerns.

Performance and Advantages:

-Removes >80% BOD in a 12-hour hydraulic residence time (starting with up to 100,000 mg/L BOD).

- Removes >80% TSS in a 12-hour hydraulic residence time (starting with up to 20,000 mg/L TSS)

-Generates no methane or harmful emissions

-Produces up to 90% less sludge compared to conventional systems

-Operates without added chemicals or dilution

-Reliable performance with remote monitoring and minimal operator intervention

Innovative Features & Environmental Added-Value:

-First-of-its-kind microbial fuel cell system tailored for industrial settings

-Energy-neutral operation in many cases

-Reduces GHG emissions and improves ESG performance

-Supports on-site circularity by reducing the carbon and water footprint for industrial treatment

-Demonstrates a novel path for sustainable industrial transformation

Basic information about the technique

Production data

The project reduces wastewater management costs for the facility by up to 20% through on-site treatment and elimination of off-site disposal. Additionally, the system guarantees compliance with local utility discharge limits, supporting operational reliability and environmental performance.

Associated main production process(es) and product(s): Wastewater Treatment via BETT

Production data: 613 m³/year

Participant Companies