Microbial fuel cells for nutrient recovery from source-separated urine

Abstract:: Increasing population and urbanisation are posing a lot of strain on urban wastewater treatment plants in Australia, in conjunction with ever stricter environmental regulations on discharge of nutrients (mainly nitrogen and phosphorus) into receiving waters. With many plants operating close to capacity, water utilities may face large expenditure to increase the capacity of existing treatment facilities. This project proposes an alternative solution, through the decentralised removal and recovery of nutrients from urine separated at the source in residential and commercial buildings. Novel microbial fuel cell technology will be developed to deliver an economical solution, which will additionally generate valuable fertiliser as by-product.
Grant type:: ARC Linkage Projects
Funded by:: Australian Research Council

The University of Queensland