PRO-BES / Pioneering Real-time Observations with BioElectrochemical Systems
Lead Research Organisation:
Newcastle University
Department Name: Sch of Natural & Environmental Sciences
Abstract
The PRO-BES project (Pioneering Real-time Observations with BioElectrochemical Systems) will undertake simultaneous field trials of real-time water quality biosensors in wastewater treatment works spread across the UK. The biosensors incorporate Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs), a type of BES technology, which feature an electrode on which bacteria generate small amounts of electricity relative to their consumption of organic pollution in the wastewater.
The project progresses an innovative collaboration between Newcastle University and University of South Wales, and is supported by end-users Welsh Water, Northumbrian Water and Chivas Brothers where the field trials will take place. Building upon prior BBSRC funding, the biosensor will advance from a laboratory proof-of-concept beyond prototype stage towards a fully realised commercial device ready for deployment and scaled-up manufacture. An understanding will be gained of how biofilm microbial communities respond to key operational factors (temperature, flow rate, external resistance) and how changes in biofilm dynamics/activity affect response of the sensor.
BES biofilms will be grown using diverse wastewaters from water companies in Wales and North-East England and whisky distilling wastewater in Scotland. Analyses of the biosensors across these trials will enable fundamental understanding of the microbiology and bioelectrochemistry of these devices in addition to providing valuable insights for future research, development and optimisation.
The project progresses an innovative collaboration between Newcastle University and University of South Wales, and is supported by end-users Welsh Water, Northumbrian Water and Chivas Brothers where the field trials will take place. Building upon prior BBSRC funding, the biosensor will advance from a laboratory proof-of-concept beyond prototype stage towards a fully realised commercial device ready for deployment and scaled-up manufacture. An understanding will be gained of how biofilm microbial communities respond to key operational factors (temperature, flow rate, external resistance) and how changes in biofilm dynamics/activity affect response of the sensor.
BES biofilms will be grown using diverse wastewaters from water companies in Wales and North-East England and whisky distilling wastewater in Scotland. Analyses of the biosensors across these trials will enable fundamental understanding of the microbiology and bioelectrochemistry of these devices in addition to providing valuable insights for future research, development and optimisation.
Technical Summary
The PRO-BES project (Pioneering Real-time Observations with BioElectrochemical Systems) will undertake simultaneous field trials of real-time water quality biosensors in wastewater treatment works spread across the UK. The project progresses an innovative collaboration between Newcastle University and University of South Wales, and is supported by end-users Welsh Water, Northumbrian Water and Chivas Brothers.
Building upon prior BBSRC funding, a laboratory proof-of-concept biosensor will be fully realised as a pre-commercial device ready for deployment and scaled-up manufacture. The biosensors incorporate tubular Bioelectrochemical Systems in which wastewater is flowed through a chamber containing a carbon anode on which a microbial biofilm is grown from wastewater. The electrogenic biofilm is capable of generating a voltage by oxidation of organic matter coupled to the reduction of oxygen to water at a platinised cathode (separated by an ion exchange membrane). The electricity generated is correlated with the Biochemical Oxygen Matter (BOM; or related organic load parameters e.g. BOD5, COD, TOC), whereas the presence of toxic compounds can be simultaneously detected by inhibition of the biofilm activity.
The biosensor consists of a sensing array of BES (to maximise dynamic range) and further includes online pH, conductivity, temperature sondes. The BES sensor demonstration system can be controlled to test under different flow rates, temperatures, and angle of orientation (venting of gases vs sludge accumulation). This maximises the research benefit by combining the controlled nature of experimental design with the variability of a real-world wastewater feed. An understanding will be gained of how biofilm microbial communities respond to key operational factors (temperature, flow rate, external resistance) and how changes in biofilm dynamics/activity affect response of the sensor, giving valuable insights for future research, development and optimisation.
Building upon prior BBSRC funding, a laboratory proof-of-concept biosensor will be fully realised as a pre-commercial device ready for deployment and scaled-up manufacture. The biosensors incorporate tubular Bioelectrochemical Systems in which wastewater is flowed through a chamber containing a carbon anode on which a microbial biofilm is grown from wastewater. The electrogenic biofilm is capable of generating a voltage by oxidation of organic matter coupled to the reduction of oxygen to water at a platinised cathode (separated by an ion exchange membrane). The electricity generated is correlated with the Biochemical Oxygen Matter (BOM; or related organic load parameters e.g. BOD5, COD, TOC), whereas the presence of toxic compounds can be simultaneously detected by inhibition of the biofilm activity.
The biosensor consists of a sensing array of BES (to maximise dynamic range) and further includes online pH, conductivity, temperature sondes. The BES sensor demonstration system can be controlled to test under different flow rates, temperatures, and angle of orientation (venting of gases vs sludge accumulation). This maximises the research benefit by combining the controlled nature of experimental design with the variability of a real-world wastewater feed. An understanding will be gained of how biofilm microbial communities respond to key operational factors (temperature, flow rate, external resistance) and how changes in biofilm dynamics/activity affect response of the sensor, giving valuable insights for future research, development and optimisation.
Planned Impact
The BES biosensor in the PRO-BES project will enable companies dealing with wastewater to modernise their existing water quality monitoring systems. The project will achieve impact by advancing development of a laboratory novelty towards a system that has been field tested for real-world application, taking the sensor to TRL 8+ as a prerequisite for commercial investment. Replicate biosensors will be tested in multiple locations across the UK by Newcastle University and University of South Wales providing valuable data regarding biofilm development in diverse wastewater environments.
Organic load monitoring is not only a benefit to Water companies treating municipal wastewater but also Food processing (Livestock, Seafood, Dairy, Bakery, Meat, Potato, Oil), Drinks processing (Soft drink, Brewery, Distillery), Oilfield and Refinery, Detergent, Pesticide, Textile, Rubber, Paper and Pharmaceutical industries.
Currently >1% of Europe's electrical consumption is used for wastewater treatment, of which aeration represents 55.6% of water company's usage. Water companies can therefore receive multiple benefits from real-time, online monitoring as they presently continuously aerate due to lack of process information. Monitoring incoming wastewater influents enables generation of a high-resolution historical record (c.f. monthly spot samples), and with this data treatment processes can be controlled and optimised. This brings about operational efficiencies so that treatment regimes can be tailored to loads and therefore cost savings (from lower aeration costs) and faster, pro-active reactions to incidents are enabled. Alarms and thresholds can be set to alert responsible parties to respond to pollution events immediately. This reduces the productivity burden of sending personnel to sites to perform checks end-users have informed us about, and allows workforces to be directed based on treatment demands. Trade effluents from smaller industries (such as those mentioned above) which feed into municipal treatment plants can be monitored for consent prior to exposure to the biological treatment systems. Monitoring discharged effluents can track treatment efficacy (and feedback to process control), indicate compliance with regulatory standards and therefore enable companies to avoid costly fines for consent breaches (£27m in 2016/17).
This also therefore brings about environmental benefit to the receiving water bodies which treated waters are discharged into. Pollution incidents can be identified in real-time without relying upon regulator monitoring or waiting for significant negative environmental consequences to arise, preventing severe environmental damage and with concomitant benefits to the public. Regulatory bodies such as the Environment Agency in the UK (and equivalent organisations in other international countries) could install sensors at strategic points within river systems to enable pollution source tracking and improve enforcement. This would allow these regulatory agencies to be more efficient in their work, and would provide the benefit of improving receiving water quality. As this is a concern of the EU Water Framework Directive which sets standards for receiving water quality, EU member states employing online sensors could therefore avoid sanctions for non-compliance owing to their more rapid and accurate response to emerging threats to water quality. In the long-term, real-time, online monitoring could lead to evidence-based policy change and become a requirement either in addition or superseding existing monthly offline spot sampling routines.
There is further societal impact for all users of water downstream of facilities or locations where online monitors are installed. Water can be used confidently in the knowledge that pollution incidents can be identified before harmful pollutants can accumulate. Water quality will improve due to the more frequent and accessible monitoring of the standard of water.
Organic load monitoring is not only a benefit to Water companies treating municipal wastewater but also Food processing (Livestock, Seafood, Dairy, Bakery, Meat, Potato, Oil), Drinks processing (Soft drink, Brewery, Distillery), Oilfield and Refinery, Detergent, Pesticide, Textile, Rubber, Paper and Pharmaceutical industries.
Currently >1% of Europe's electrical consumption is used for wastewater treatment, of which aeration represents 55.6% of water company's usage. Water companies can therefore receive multiple benefits from real-time, online monitoring as they presently continuously aerate due to lack of process information. Monitoring incoming wastewater influents enables generation of a high-resolution historical record (c.f. monthly spot samples), and with this data treatment processes can be controlled and optimised. This brings about operational efficiencies so that treatment regimes can be tailored to loads and therefore cost savings (from lower aeration costs) and faster, pro-active reactions to incidents are enabled. Alarms and thresholds can be set to alert responsible parties to respond to pollution events immediately. This reduces the productivity burden of sending personnel to sites to perform checks end-users have informed us about, and allows workforces to be directed based on treatment demands. Trade effluents from smaller industries (such as those mentioned above) which feed into municipal treatment plants can be monitored for consent prior to exposure to the biological treatment systems. Monitoring discharged effluents can track treatment efficacy (and feedback to process control), indicate compliance with regulatory standards and therefore enable companies to avoid costly fines for consent breaches (£27m in 2016/17).
This also therefore brings about environmental benefit to the receiving water bodies which treated waters are discharged into. Pollution incidents can be identified in real-time without relying upon regulator monitoring or waiting for significant negative environmental consequences to arise, preventing severe environmental damage and with concomitant benefits to the public. Regulatory bodies such as the Environment Agency in the UK (and equivalent organisations in other international countries) could install sensors at strategic points within river systems to enable pollution source tracking and improve enforcement. This would allow these regulatory agencies to be more efficient in their work, and would provide the benefit of improving receiving water quality. As this is a concern of the EU Water Framework Directive which sets standards for receiving water quality, EU member states employing online sensors could therefore avoid sanctions for non-compliance owing to their more rapid and accurate response to emerging threats to water quality. In the long-term, real-time, online monitoring could lead to evidence-based policy change and become a requirement either in addition or superseding existing monthly offline spot sampling routines.
There is further societal impact for all users of water downstream of facilities or locations where online monitors are installed. Water can be used confidently in the knowledge that pollution incidents can be identified before harmful pollutants can accumulate. Water quality will improve due to the more frequent and accessible monitoring of the standard of water.
Organisations
- Newcastle University (Lead Research Organisation)
- Dwr Cymru Welsh Water (United Kingdom) (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Reece Innovation Ltd (Collaboration)
- Northumbrian Water (Collaboration)
- Chivas Brothers ltd. (Collaboration)
- Reece Innovation (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Chivas Brothers Ltd (Project Partner)
- Northumbrian Water Group plc (Project Partner)
Publications

Aulenta F
(2021)
An underappreciated DIET for anaerobic petroleum hydrocarbon-degrading microbial communities.
in Microbial biotechnology

Christgen B
(2023)
Does pre-enrichment of anodes with acetate to select for Geobacter spp. enhance performance of microbial fuel cells when switched to more complex substrates?
in Frontiers in microbiology

Gadkari S
(2020)
Influence of temperature and other system parameters on microbial fuel cell performance: Numerical and experimental investigation
in Chemical Engineering Journal

Godain A
(2020)
Detection of 4-Nitrophenol, a Model Toxic Compound, Using Multi-Stage Microbial Fuel Cells
in Frontiers in Environmental Science

Izadi P
(2021)
The effect of the polarised cathode, formate and ethanol on chain elongation of acetate in microbial electrosynthesis
in Applied Energy

Lim S
(2020)
Impact of applied cell voltage on the performance of a microbial electrolysis cell fully catalysed by microorganisms
in International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

Lim SS
(2021)
Zinc removal and recovery from industrial wastewater with a microbial fuel cell: Experimental investigation and theoretical prediction.
in The Science of the total environment

Spurr M
(2020)
A microbial fuel cell sensor for unambiguous measurement of organic loading and definitive identification of toxic influents
in Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology

Spurr MW
(2021)
No re-calibration required? Stability of a bioelectrochemical sensor for biodegradable organic matter over 800 days.
in Biosensors & bioelectronics
Description | New responses of MFC sensor to temperature. Understanding of impact of storm events on the sensor. Improved multi-parameter calibration of sensor using ML approaches. TRL6/7 sensors are now deployed on several wastewater treatment plants around the country and generating data in real time. The data are viewable on a cloud-based server and we are in discussion with potential partners to develop the sensor to TRL8/9. |
Exploitation Route | Commercial development of sensor TRL6/7 sensors are now deployed on several wastewater treatment plants around the country and generating data in real time. The data are viewable on a cloud-based server and we are in discussion with potential partners to develop the sensor to TRL8/9. The sensors could also be used for real-time process control for wastewater treatment plants to increase energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions |
Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Electronics Environment Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
URL | https://www.ncl.ac.uk/work-with-us/expert-solutions/transfer/sage/real-time-water-quality-monitoring-technology/ |
Description | Engagement with new industry partners. Very early stages of project, and impacted by covid, so not yet extensive. TRL6/7 sensors are now deployed on several wastewater treatment plants around the country and generating data in real time. The data are viewable on a cloud-based server and we are in discussion with potential partners to develop the sensor to TRL8/9. |
First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
Description | Northern Accelerator (ERDF funded project for business development) |
Amount | £10,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | European Commission |
Department | European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) |
Sector | Public |
Country | Belgium |
Start | 02/2021 |
End | 09/2021 |
Title | Microbial Fuel Cell Data: Recalibration & Effect of Resistance & Substrate |
Description | Data obtained from operation and calibration of batch-mode and multi-stage, flow-mode Microbial Fuel Cells (voltage datalogging, medium replacements, BOD calibrations) fed with GGA, glucose, glutamic acid media and real wastewater. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | New Industry collaboration and funded projects |
URL | https://data.ncl.ac.uk/articles/dataset/Microbial_Fuel_Cell_Data_Recalibration_Effect_of_Resistance_... |
Description | Collaboration with Welsh Water |
Organisation | Welsh Water |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Introduction of microbial fuel cell based sensors for water quality monitoring |
Collaborator Contribution | Access to field sites for sensor testing and financial contribution to a new BBSRC IPA which is due to start in spring 2020. |
Impact | None yet |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Engagement with potential end user from the food and beverage sector (Chivas Brothers) |
Organisation | Chivas Brothers ltd. |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Communicated potential for real time sensing of high BOD wastestreams characteristic of food and beverage industry efflunents. |
Collaborator Contribution | Provided detailed information on material and waste flows including organic content in the whisky distilling industry and highlighted potential markets for an online BOD sensor. |
Impact | None |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Engagement with potential end user from the water sector (Northumbrian Water) |
Organisation | Northumbrian Water |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Communicated the potential for real time monitoring of BOD and toxicity with potential for enhanced consent compliance and improved process control |
Collaborator Contribution | Provided opportunities to present work at the Sensors in the Water Industry Group (SWIG). Provided information on the regulatory landscape for BOD monitoring and information on the potential market for such sensors. The have also provided samples and have offered site access and other support for future development. |
Impact | None yet |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Water Industry Collaborator |
Organisation | Welsh Water |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Advanced the BOD sensor initially developed in this project |
Collaborator Contribution | Collaborator on a BBSRC research IPA project providing financial contribution and a test site for field testing of the sensor |
Impact | None yet, project at initial stages |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Working with Reece Innovation for industrialization of BES technologies |
Organisation | Reece Innovation Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Research and testing of BES systems |
Collaborator Contribution | Design of data monitoring and reporting hardware and software |
Impact | None yet |
Start Year | 2019 |
Title | WATER QUALITY MONITORING METHOD AND DEVICE |
Description | A water quality monitoring method. The method comprises: receiving BioElectrochemical System, BES, sensor data indicating an output from at least one BES sensor exposed to a water sample; and receiving data indicating at least one environmental parameter, at least one piece of configuration data for the BES sensor or at least one parameter for a system in which the BES sensor is implemented. The received data is processed according to a calibration algorithm to generate a parameter indicative of organic compound concentration for the water sample. A water quality monitoring device to implement the method may comprise a BES sensor and a processor to implement the calibration algorithm, and optionally one or more further sensors. |
IP Reference | WO2023007183 |
Protection | Patent / Patent application |
Year Protection Granted | 2023 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | None yet |
Description | On-line Video |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Video explaining concepts and application of microbial fuel cell-based sensors for industry and general public (https://www.ncl.ac.uk/business-and-partnerships/expert-solutions/licensing/bes-sensors/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39WPEiuA8Bg) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.ncl.ac.uk/business-and-partnerships/expert-solutions/licensing/bes-sensors/ |
Description | Presentation to Sensors in the Water Industry/KTN joint meeting November 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Meeting on a range of water quality sensor technologies to sensor technology providers, industry end-users and KTN personnel |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.swig.org.uk/call-for-papers-swig-sensor-sprint-24-nov-2021/ |
Description | Work featured on BBSRC Impact Showcase 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Not known |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | http://www.discover.ukri.org/bbsrc-impact-showcase-2021/index.html |