Abstract
This paper investigated microbial denitrification using electrochemical sources to replace organic matter as reductant. The work also involved developing a system that could be optimised for nitrate removal in applied situations such as water processing in fish farming or drinking water, where high nitrate levels represent a potential health problem. Consequently, the study examined a range of developments for the removal of nitrate from water based on the development of electrochemical biotransformation systems for nitrate removal. This also offers considerable scope for the potential application of these systems in broader bionanotechnology based processes. Furthermore, the work discussed the context of improved microbial fuel cell (MFC) performance, potential analytic applications, and further innovations using a bionanotechnology approach to analyse cell-electrode interactions. High nitrate removal rate of more than 95% was successfully achieved by using a MFC system modified with carbon nanomaterials.
Highlights
A biological nitrate removal using microbial fuel cells (MFCs) has attracted great attention due to its ability to directly generate electricity, while accomplishing water and wastewater treatment
In 2008, Lefebvre and coworkers proposed a novel type of two-chambered MFC, where the costly catalyst on the cathode surface was replaced by an autoheterotrophic denitrifying biofilm [5]
The power production over a range of current densities was obtained by changing the external resistance Rext using a resistor box, when the voltage production became stable
Summary
A biological nitrate removal using microbial fuel cells (MFCs) has attracted great attention due to its ability to directly generate electricity, while accomplishing water and wastewater treatment. The microorganisms act as catalyst for the electrochemical oxidation of the organic material, and the electrode is referred to as a microbial bioanode [1]. This oxidation occurs in an anaerobic environment, resulting in producing electrons, protons, and CO2. Anaerobic biocathodes can offer the advantages of having a MFC system with both anaerobic anode and cathode chambers. The first development of a biocathode was achieved by Clauwaert et al in [3], demonstrating that a complete denitrification can be performed using microorganisms in the cathode with electrons supplied by microorganisms oxidising acetate in the anode. Denitrification was performed by microorganisms using electrons supplied by bacteria oxidising domestic wastewater and with acetate as the substrate in the anode chamber
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