Influence of key operating parameters and bio-fouling on simultaneous desalination of seawater & reduction of organic wastes from petroleum industrial wastewater

ABSTRACT

Bio-cathode microbial desalination cells are emerging technology that utilizes bioelectric potential from organic matter (petroleum refinery effluent) to enhance the desalination process along with the activity of microalgae (Scenedesmus abundans). In the present work, the system is assumed to be governed by interdependent key process variables such as salt concentration, anolyte concentration, and external resistance. Three different levels of salt concentration (5, 20 and 35 g L⁻¹), anolyte concentration (250, 500 and 750 mg L⁻¹), and external resistance (100, 560 and 1000 Ω) were analysed and optimized by the statistical and probabilistic tool such as Box Behnken design method and Genetic Algorithm to maximize the desalination performance. The optimized parameters such as salt concentration (35 g L⁻¹), anolyte concentration (500 mg L⁻¹), and external resistance (100 Ω) produced maximum desalination efficiency of 59.6%. The model also distinguished the influence of input parameters on the output responses such as significant responses (Salinity, Total dissolved solids, and Electrical conductivity) and non-significant responses (Chemical oxygen demand removal, power density, and algal growth). The model predicted the desalination efficiency with ±1.25% error. The high impact of bio-fouling was observed in Anion Exchange Membrane on comparison with Cation Exchange Membrane.

KEYWORDS:

• Bio-cathode microbial desalination cell
• response surface methodology
• genetic algorithm
• scenedesmus abundans
• bio-fouling

Additional information

Notes on contributors

V. R. V Ashwaniy

V. R. V Ashwaniy received the B.Tech. degree in Biotechnology from the Rajalakshmi Engineering College, TamilNadu, India. She received M.E. degree in Environmental Engineering and Management from the Coimbatore Institute of Technology, TamilNadu, India. She is currently pursuing Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, TamilNadu, India. She is currently working in the research area of biodesalination and desalination by microbial desalination cell.

M. Perumalsamy

M. Perumalsamy received post graduation in the department of Chemical Engineering from Anna University, TamilNadu, India and received PhD degree in Chemical Engineering from Anna University, TamilNadu, India.He is an Associate Professor in the department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, TamilNadu India. His current research interests includes Separation of Proteins using aqueous two phase system, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Biofuels and Waste water Treatment.