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Content archived on 2024-06-18

Extracting electrical current from organic compounds in wastewater

Objective

In a microbial bioelectrochemical system, bacteria convert organic matter directly into electrical current. This makes it possible to use the energy content of dissolved organic matter in wastewater to drive electrochemical processes. A bioelectrochemical system consists of two electrodes, an anode and a cathode. Living bacteria oxidize organic matter and transfer electrons to the anode. The electrons flow through an external circuit to the cathode where a compound is reduced. The conditions at the cathode determine the output of the system. For example, we can produce electrical energy, energy-carriers such as hydrogen and methane, and valuable chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide and caustic soda.

The aim of this research project is to investigate the design, control, and operation of the bioanode. Depending on the output of the system, we have varying restraints and opportunities for control of the bioanode. We will use mathematical modeling and laboratory experiments to investigate two types of bioelectrochemical processes. In Type 1, the product at the cathode is in focus and the bioanode is simply used to lower the energy consumption of the production process. In Type 2, energy recovery from the wastewater is in focus and the goal is to capture as much as possible of the energy bound up in organic matter. This research project will fill an important knowledge gap in the field of bioelectrochemical systems and contribute to the practical application of this new technology.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG)

Coordinator

CHALMERS TEKNISKA HOGSKOLA AB
EU contribution
€ 100 000,00
Address
-
412 96 GOTEBORG
Sweden

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Region
Södra Sverige Västsverige Västra Götalands län
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

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