Technical Papers
Apr 8, 2020

Aqueous Phosphate Removal and Electricity Production Using an Iron–Air Fuel Cell

Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 146, Issue 6

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) surplus is a key factor in water eutrophication, and aqueous phosphate removal is a concern. In this study, ferrous ions (Fe2+) were generated in situ by iron–air fuel cells and were used in the removal of P from synthetic P-containing wastewater. The P removal results indicated that different initial concentrations of P were more effectively removed by an in situ Fe2+ generation than by the addition of FeSO4. The main P removal products of FeSO4 were Fe hydroxides, whereas the main products with the iron fuel cell were vivianite and Fe hydroxides. These results suggested that Fe2+ formed in situ had a more conducive and stronger affinity to bond phosphate than FeSO4. The maximum power density reached 1,875  mW/m2 after 24 h of operation. The results indicate that the iron–air fuel cell can be used for P removal/recovery coupled with potential electricity generation.

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Data Availability Statement

Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. XDA23050203) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41373100). Additional support was provided by the Key Project of Research and Development Plan of Yantai, Shandong Province (Grant No. 2018ZHGY083).

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Go to Journal of Environmental Engineering
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 146Issue 6June 2020

History

Received: Oct 11, 2019
Accepted: Jan 2, 2020
Published online: Apr 8, 2020
Published in print: Jun 1, 2020
Discussion open until: Sep 8, 2020

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Authors

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Ph.D. Student, Research Center for Coastal Environment Engineering Technology of Shandong Province, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chunhui Rd. 17, Laishan District, Yantai 264003, PR China; College of Resources and Environment, Univ. of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19(A) Yuquan Rd., Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, PR China. Email: [email protected]
Yanqing Sheng [email protected]
Professor, Research Center for Coastal Environment Engineering Technology of Shandong Province, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chunhui Rd. 17, Laishan District, Yantai 264003, PR China (corresponding author). Email: [email protected]

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