Integrated urban water management by coupling iron salt production and application with biogas upgrading

Zhetai Hu, Lanqing Li, Xiaotong Cen, Min Zheng, Shihu Hu, Xiuheng Wang, Yarong Song, Kangning Xu and Zhiguo Yuan ()
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Zhetai Hu: The University of Queensland
Lanqing Li: Harbin Institute of Technology
Xiaotong Cen: The University of Queensland
Min Zheng: The University of Queensland
Shihu Hu: The University of Queensland
Xiuheng Wang: Harbin Institute of Technology
Yarong Song: The University of Queensland
Kangning Xu: Beijing Forestry University
Zhiguo Yuan: The University of Queensland

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Integrated urban water management is a well-accepted concept for managing urban water. It requires efficient and integrated technological solutions that enable system-wide gains via a whole-of-system approach. Here, we create a solid link between the manufacturing of an iron salt, its application in an urban water system, and high-quality bioenergy recovery from wastewater. An iron-oxidising electrochemical cell is used to remove CO2 (also H2S and NH3) from biogas, thus achieving biogas upgrading, and simultaneously producing FeCO3. The subsequent dose of the electrochemically produced FeCO3 to wastewater and sludge removes sulfide and phosphate, and enhances sludge settleability and dewaterability, with comparable or superior performance compared to the imported and hazardous iron salts it substitutes (FeCl2, and FeCl3). The process enables water utilities to establish a self-reliant and more secure supply chain to meet its demand for iron salts, at lower economic and environmental costs, and simultaneously achieve recovery of high-quality bioenergy.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42158-w

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