Simultaneous treatment of PTA wastewater and production of hydrogen using microbial electrolysis cell

The microbial electrolytic cell was used in the treatment of PTA wastewater, and the degradation of PTA and simultaneous production of hydrogen were systematically studied. The electron transport mechanism was studied by cyclic voltammetry curve. The experimental results showed that PTA wastewater treatment and hydrogen production can be achieved simultaneously using microbial electrolysis cell when the COD concentration of substrate is 1000 mg/L with an applied voltage of 0.900 V and 43 h operation of microbial electrolysis cell. TA degradation rate and COD removal rate are 92.0% and 80.3%, respectively, hydrogen yield is 0.04 m³/(m³·d), coulombic efficiency is 29%.