Substrate removal and electricity generation in a membrane-less microbial fuel cell for biological treatment of wastewater.
Bioresour Technol. 2013 Jun; 138:109-16.BT

Abstract

Microbial fuel cells have gained popularity in recent years due to its promise in converting organic wastewater into renewable electrical energy. In this study, a membrane-less MFC with a biocathode was developed to evaluate its performance in electricity generation while simultaneously treating wastewater. The MFC fed with a continuous flow of 2g/day acetate produced a power density of 30 mW/m(2) and current density of 245 mA/m(2). A substrate degradation efficiency (SDE) of 75.9% was achieved with 48.7% attributed to the anaerobic process and 27.2% to the aerobic process. Sequencing analysis of the microbial consortia using 16S rDNA pryosequencing showed the predominance of Bacteroidia in the anode after one month of operation, while the microbial community in the cathode chamber was dominated by Gamma-proteobacteria and Beta-proteobacteria. Coulombic efficiencies varied from 19.8% to 58.1% using different acetate concentrations, indicating power density can be further improved through the accumulation of electron-transferring bacteria.

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Publisher Full Text (DOI)

Authors+Show Affiliations

Wang H
Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
Jiang SC
No affiliation info available
Wang Y
No affiliation info available
Xiao B
No affiliation info available

MeSH

AcetatesArchaeaBacteriaBiodegradation, EnvironmentalBiodiversityBioelectric Energy SourcesElectricityElectrodesMembranes, ArtificialWaste WaterWater Pollutants, ChemicalWater Purification

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Language

eng

PubMed ID

23612168