Design and construction of a facility based on electric field induction for biological treatment of wastewater

Efrat Emanuel, Chemical engineering, Ariel university, Revava, Israel
Rivka Cahan, Chemical Engineering, Ariel University, Petach Tikva, Israel






Hydrophobic contaminants are not easily broken down by the bacteria found in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) that are based on biodegradation. The research goal is to optimize the rate of degradation by improving the penetration rate of these pollutants into the bacterium.

The hypothesis is that the induction of electric field causes the bacterial membrane to vibrate in a way which allows the permeability of toxic hydrophobic contaminants, thus leading to full enzymatic decomposition. This methodology is based on electroporation process that allows the penetration of molecules into a bacterial cell. Different pulse strengths will be tested, and samples will be taken to analyze the vitality and concentration of pollutants at different times, while searching for the optimal pulse intensity which will improve the pollutant's penetration rate to the bacterial cell on the one hand, but will not cause the death of the bacteria on the other hand. The result would be an improvement in the degradation rate of the contaminant. The originality of this research is in the development of an additional application in the field of electroporation treatment of hydrophobic organic pollutants. This application will allow effective treatment of hydrophobic pollutants (an environmental contribution) and will shorten the stay in WWTPs (a financial contribution).