Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year. (2017-2018 to 2022-2023)

The objective of this research is to develop new devises which will enhance electrokinetically generation of energy from sludge and wastewater, while a high quality effluent is simultaneously produced. The project might be seen not only as a part of new self-sustained environmental engineering facilities with zero-energy and zero-emission-waste systems, but rather as a source of value added products. Subsequently, the project focuses on development anaerobic electro-bioreactors with and without membranes. Proposed investigations will also combine the anaerobic electro-bioreactor with principles of microbial electrolysis cells, which is a superior of all conventional bio-electrochemical system. Energy will be obtained based on a sustainable process combining biological processes, electrokinetic phenomena, exothermic reactions, and membrane filtration. Developed technologies, beside generation of energy, they will produce recycle water and excellent quality soil amendment. Work defined in Stream 1 will address superior production of biogas from solids streams (biological sludge with/without additional load of fat, oil and grease). The methodological approach will permit to increase the efficiency of biotic and abiotic gas production by application of enhanced electrokinetics to organic solids, while vastly improving the final quality of electro-anaerobically treated sludge and effluents. Work defined in Stream 2 will focus on hydrogen-biohydrogen production from wastewater by novel anaerobic membrane electro-bioreactor. The project addresses issues important to Canada and the world; i.e. production of clean energy and preserving clean water resources. Many municipalities and industries are seeking more sustainable treatment of their wastewater with lower costs and utilizing novel forms of energy recovery. It is anticipated that developed system would be also serve decentralized treatment systems, mining and military bases, as well as remote located settlements, even in northern regions. The validation of devises in cold temperature is considered. New technologies would improve the quality of life in many areas where sanitation and energy are still insufficient. The success of the project will also lay on advanced investigations of microbial communities undergone changes in anaerobic digester under electrical field - significant contributions to science are expected. The project will permit to train at least 15 HQP - leaders in advanced treatment of wasted materials and energy recovery. Due to multidisciplinary research team, HQP will be exposed to different domains of science which permit them to become more knowledgeable, creative and competitive.