Amalgamation of Constructed Wetland and Microbial Fuel Cell Systems as a Sustainable Approach towards Wastewater Treatment and Energy Recovery

Abstract

Integration of Constructed Wetlands (CWs) with Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) is a groundbreaking technology for both wastewater treatment and bioelectricity generation. MFCs and CWs have aerobic and anaerobic zones, the aerobic process occurs in the topmost zone of the layers, whereas the anaerobic process occurs in the bottom zone of the layers. Embedding MFCs in CWs makes it easier to tune redox reactions and electron movement in aerobic and anaerobic zones of the CW bed matrix, thus eliminating the constraint of electron acceptor availability. Further, the presence of plants in this system enhances NH4-N removal as well as the bioelectricity generation in MFCs. Furthermore, the presence of substrates in CWs offers a high surface area for microbes to process the treatment. Thus, this system is an excellent technology not just for producing renewable energy but also for maintaining a safe and healthy environment, as no hazardous by-products are generated during the operation. The primary purpose of this chapter is to summarize and review the different factors that hamper the efficiency of treatment and bio-electricity production. Usage of CW-MFC for various wastewater treatments has also been described in this chapter. Furthermore, the chapter articulates the resource recovery options from the system and the cost analysis of the CW-MFCs systems compared with other present wastewater treatment technologies. In addition, future research works required to make CW-MFCs a sustainable option for wastewater treatment with higher electricity yield have been discussed.