Research Center for Process and Prevention of Water Pollution

Prof. Yuan Liu published a review “Recent progress on the recovery of valuable resources from source-separated urine on-site using electrochemical technologies: A review” in Chemical Engineering Journal (IF: 13.273), DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.136200. Electrochemical techniques have been barely used for in-situ recovery of valuable resources in source-separated urine. Therefore, the investigations and development of electrochemical technologies for nutrients recovery, energy exploitation and water reclamation in recent decade (2011–2021) are summarized and discussed systematically in this review. The necessity to develop on-site treatment of source-separated urine was discussed initially. Pros and cons of each electrochemical technology to recover nutrients, energy and water, were discussed and analyzed, respectively. Perspective and future efforts on development of electrochemical technologies for the on-site treatment of urine were also carefully analyzed. Intelligent technology would become important part of the on-site electrochemical treatment of urine, aiming to optimize the treatment process, improve recovery efficiency and lower carbon footprint. This review is expected to open a new era for the investigation and development of electrochemical technologies towards on-site treatment of source-separated urine.