Co-capture and recovery of ammonia and CO₂ driven by microbial electrolysis system coupling with mineral carbon sequestration by industrial wastes

In response to escalating environmental challenges, innovative solutions for collaborative waste management and recycling have become imperative. The eco-friendly microbial electrochemical resource recovery system (EMERS) integrated microbial electrolysis cell and forward osmosis for CO₂ capture from flue gas, ammonia and water recovery from wastewater and utilization of industrial wastes. 75 ± 1.8 % of ammonia from wastewater was enriched in MEC's catholyte and 38 % of synchronous water recovery from wastewater was achieved by forward osmosis, realizing multi-cycle recycling of catholyte. The enriched ammonia and CO₂ were then recovered by 100 % and 62 % through thermal extraction. The salt brine exhibited high efficiency in ammonia and CO₂ absorption, exceeding 90 %, and yielded hydrated basic magnesium carbonate. Additionally, hydrogen, NH₄Cl and various carbonate products were also obtained. The EMERS demonstrated a promising strategy for integrated utilization of wastewater, flue gas and industrial waste, achieving pollution and carbon emissions reduction along with resource recovery.