초록
We investigated the use of a Microbial Electrolysis Cell (MEC) for the ammonium removal, COD removal and hydrogen production from five times diluted urine. During operation with a batch cathode, a current density of 23.07 +/- 1.15 A m<SUP>-2</SUP> was achieved corresponding to a hydrogen production rate of 48.6 +/- 7.47 m<SUP>3</SUP> H<SUB>2</SUB> m<SUP>-3</SUP> MEC d<SUP>-1</SUP>, an ammonium removal rate of 173.4 +/- 18.1 g N m<SUP>-2</SUP> d<SUP>-1</SUP> and a COD removal rate of 171.0 +/- 16.9 g COD m<SUP>-2</SUP> d<SUP>-1</SUP>. Ammonia stripping was not possible in the applied MEC and ammonia diffusion from cathode to anode compartment led to a relatively short stable operation period. The stable operation period was prolonged by addition of new cathode media (HRT 6 h), but this resulted in a lower current density (14.64 +/- 1.65 A m<SUP>-2</SUP>), hydrogen production rate (32.0 +/- 0.89 m<SUP>3</SUP> H<SUB>2</SUB> m<SUP>-3</SUP> MEC d<SUP>-1</SUP>), ammonium removal rate (162.18 +/- 10.37 g N m<SUP>-2</SUP> d<SUP>-1</SUP>) and COD removal rate (130.56 +/- 4.45 g COD m<SUP>-2</SUP> d<SUP>-1</SUP>).