Three-Dimensional Biofilm Electrode Reactors with a Triple-Layer Particle Electrode for Highly Efficient Treatment of Micro-Polluted Water Sources

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Thank you a lot for supporting our study. According to your valuable comments, we have revised this manuscript point by point, which are important in improving our knowledge and benefiting our next study. Thank you again.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

This article is well written and acceptable, but the language still needs to be revised by native English speakers.

This article is well written and acceptable, but the language still needs to be revised by native English speakers.

Author Response

Thank you a lot for supporting our study. According to your valuable comments, we have revised this manuscript, which improve our knowledge and benefit our next study. Thank you again.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

The present work entitled "Three-Dimensional Biofilm Electrode Reactors with a triple-layer particle electrode for Highly Efficient Treatment of micro-polluted water sourcessss" presents considerable scientific merit and with methodological aspects well presented and results discussed. Only, highlight the novelty of this work in the introduction as a highlight.

The present work entitled "Three-Dimensional Biofilm Electrode Reactors with a triple-layer particle electrode for Highly Efficient Treatment of micro-polluted water sourcessss" presents considerable scientific merit and with methodological aspects well presented and results discussed. Only, highlight the novelty of this work in the introduction as a highlight.

Author Response

Thank you a lot for supporting our study. According to your valuable comments, we have revised this manuscript, which improve our knowledge and benefit our next study. Thank you again.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 4 Report

The authors present an interesting study on the treatment of micro-polluted water by a 3D biofilm electrode reactor with triple-layer particle electrodes (TL-BERs). The subject might be innovative and helpful for the readers. There are several problems needed to be carefully considered:

 

Graphical Abstract

- A graphical abstract will be helpful.

 

Main text

Introduction

- Line 68: Please give a brief introduction of the research on biofilm electrode reactor to support the argument that “This 3D-BER technology has been primarily used for industrial wastewater treatment or denitrification. However, studies on its application to treat micro-polluted water have not yet been reported.”, since only three references were cited.

- Hydrodynamic cavitation is also an efficient means for treatment of organic matters and microorganisms, some recent papers might be included in this section:

(1) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2023.113277

(2) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2023.106333

(3) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2021.128600

 

Methodology

- Table 1, “Simulation of water quality” should be simulated water quality.

- Table 1, the pH of water quality should be ~8.4-8.6; the NH₄⁺-N of the simulated water quality and water quality should be 0.07-0.87 and 0.28-0.65, respectively.

 

Results and discussions

- A technoeconomic analysis is recommended if possible, and the cost can be compared with that of other traditional and novel methods.

- Please cite more biofilm electrode reactor-related previous works and discuss the novel findings of this work.

- Some degrees of criticism are recommended.

 

Conclusions

- This part should include the limitation of this work, and provide some inspirations and guidance to the readers.

Some grammatical errors should be avoided.

Author Response

Thank you a lot for supporting our study. According to your valuable comments, we have revised this manuscript point by point, which are important in improving our knowledge and benefiting our next study. Thank you again.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

All the comments and questions were addressed and answered satisfactionally.

There is only one remark about the terminology in the sentence "...the removal efficiencies of COD_Mn, NH₄⁺‒N, turbidity, UV₂₅₄, pH, and DO were measured...".   

UV₂₅₄ and pH are not factors that can be removed. It can be rephrased as: "...the removal efficiencies of COD_Mn, NH₄⁺‒N, turbidity, and DO were measured, as well as the decrease in the UV₂₅₄ absorption and the pH". 

The quality of the English language is fine.