Updates and announcements from the ElectroSAnMBR research programme, covering progress on the submerged anaerobic electrochemical membrane bioreactor for bilge water treatment.
The ElectroSAnMBR project represents a concerted effort to advance the treatment of complex industrial wastewater through the integration of electrochemical processes with submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor technology. By focusing on bilge water, a particularly challenging waste stream from maritime operations, the research aims to develop an innovative system that can effectively break down persistent organic pollutants. The approach combines electrolysis with biological treatment, leveraging the strengths of both methods to achieve higher degradation efficiencies than either could accomplish alone. This work sits at the intersection of environmental engineering and applied electrochemistry, drawing on expertise from multiple disciplines within the academic team.
Anaerobic treatment offers distinct advantages for high-strength wastewaters, including lower energy demands and reduced sludge production compared to conventional aerobic systems. However, the presence of recalcitrant compounds in bilge water can inhibit microbial activity and limit treatment performance. The ElectroSAnMBR design addresses this limitation by incorporating an electrochemical cell that pre-treats the wastewater, breaking down inhibitory substances and making the effluent more amenable to biological degradation. The submerged membrane configuration further enhances the process by retaining biomass within the reactor while producing a clarified permeate, enabling stable long-term operation under varying load conditions.
The research programme encompasses a comprehensive work plan that spans laboratory-scale experimentation, process optimization, and validation under realistic conditions. Early phases focus on characterizing the electrochemical interactions within the reactor and identifying optimal operating parameters for both the electrolysis cell and the anaerobic biomass. Subsequent work examines the fate of specific organic pollutants, tracking their transformation pathways and removal efficiencies throughout the treatment train. Analytical methods developed specifically for this project allow the team to monitor trace contaminants and intermediate byproducts, providing a detailed understanding of the mechanisms driving pollutant removal.
Beyond its technical objectives, the ElectroSAnMBR project contributes to the training and development of early-stage researchers in the field of advanced water treatment. The international, interdisciplinary nature of the collaboration exposes team members to diverse methodologies and perspectives, fostering innovation that crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries. Regular scientific meetings, workshops, and public engagement activities ensure that findings are disseminated to both the academic community and relevant industrial stakeholders. The knowledge generated through this work has the potential to inform future regulatory frameworks and treatment standards for maritime wastewater discharges, supporting broader environmental protection goals.
The ElectroSAnMBR project was awarded funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 841797. The 24-month initiative set out to develop a novel e-SAnMBR system for treating real bilge water.
Researchers from the Laboratory of Environmental Engineering at Cyprus University of Technology, the Nano/Micro Mechanics of Materials Laboratory, and the Environmental Bioprocessing Laboratory joined forces to advance the ElectroSAnMBR concept. The team includes Dr Georgia Gatidou, Dr Ioannis Vyrides, Dr Georgios Constantinidis, Dr Costas Varavvas, and Dr Michalis Koutinas.
The project was structured into distinct work packages, with WP1 covering project management across the full 24-month duration. Technical work packages addressed the manufacture of novel electrodes, batch operation of the integrated electrolysis cell with anaerobic digestion, and continuous operation comparing SAnMBRs with the e-SAnMBR configuration.
For further information about the ElectroSAnMBR project or to get in touch with the research team, visit our contact page.
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