Studies on computational fluid dynamics and flow characteristics of auto‐dripping bioelectrochemical reactor (AutoDriBER): A rational basis for e‐urinal design

Abstract

Summary Resource depletion and simultaneous increase in energy demand have driven the need for alternative energy solutions, such as Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs). In the last two decades, BESs have witnessed significant research and development, however, the technology is still not commercialized. Major challenges lie with large‐scale continuous operation, limited by the understudied fluid dynamic behavior of the system as a whole, and in particular of the anolyte. A continuous flow, auto dripping bioelectrochemical reactor (AutoDriBER) was therefore developed and modeled in the present study. The optimum flow rate, under which AutoDriBER achieved 2.91 ± 0.29 V, 1.02 W/m2, and 88.29 ± 1.83% operating voltage, power density, and COD removal, respectively, was 10 mL/min. COD reduction was highest, 91.24 ± 1.52%, at 5 mL/min flow rate. The present findings form an initial step towards optimizing complex designs and overcoming limitations for the scale‐up of continuous flow bioelectrochemical reactors.