Microbial electrochemical recovery of zinc
Journal article, 2017

Electrolytic recovery of zinc (Zn) from aqueous solutions is an energy intensive process carried out using highly concentrated Zn2+ solutions. To reduce the energy consumption and make Zn recovery possible from dilute waste streams, a more energy-efficient process is needed. In this study, we tested a microbial electrolysis cells for Zn recovery from acidic solutions. The reactors contained biological anodes that generated current by oxidizing acetate. The reactors were operated with either controlled anode potential or controlled cathode potential. During operation with controlled anode operation, the energy efficiency for Zn recovery was highly variable and depended on the biologically generated current and the Zn2+ concentration in the catholyte. During operation with controlled cathode potential, a relatively stable energy consumption of 0.59–0.72 kWh kg−1 Zn was obtained. This was about three times lower than the energy consumption for Zn recovery under abiotic conditions.

Author

Oskar Modin

Chalmers, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Environment Technology

Nafis Fuad

Chalmers, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Environment Technology

Sebastien Rauch

Chalmers, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Environment Technology

Electrochimica Acta

0013-4686 (ISSN)

Vol. 248 58-63

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

Areas of Advance

Building Futures (2010-2018)

Life Science Engineering (2010-2018)

Subject Categories

Water Engineering

Other Environmental Biotechnology

DOI

10.1016/j.electacta.2017.07.120

More information

Created

10/8/2017