This research aims to develop an integrated process to recover nutrients and produce renewable biofuel from wastewater generated from food processing chains using microbial electrochemical system (MES). Wastewater streams from food processing contain organic substances and nutrient elements. If not treated or recovered properly, those potentially useful materials will cause greenhouse gas emissions and eutrophication. This research will focus on demonstrating that simultaneous biofuel production and nutrient recovery can be achieved using MES, and that compared with the conventional treatment approaches, this system can achieve higher overall energy recovery efficiency.

The Candidate should have, or be expected to achieve, a first class honours or 2:1 degree qualification (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (environmental engineering, environmental chemistry, microbiology, electrochemistry). A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience would be desirable but not a prerequisite.

This project is funded by EPSRC DTP studentship and only UK or EU candidates are eligible. The Candidate will be joining in Water and Environmental Engineering Research Group (https://www.facebook.com/environmental.lab.university.of.southampton/) that will provide in-house training for this project.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Dr Yue Zhang, Water and Environmental Engineering research group, Email: Y.Zhang@soton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 2188.