Abstract
Planar MFC prototypes were constructed and experimented to operate as sensors of the anoxic condition in a denitrification tank of a wastewater treatment plant in Italy, during different times in 2018 – 2019. Electrodes were differently enriched with carbon paint containing nanotubes and CeO2 nanoparticles. Performances of different electrodes were compared. Results underline critical anoxic conditions in the tank, that caused a very low signal and phenomena of signal reversion during some period of the year. the activity of aerobic microorganisms and protozoa growing and grazing the bacteria on the electrodes strongly influenced the signal of the MFCs. The presence of nanoceria enhanced, for some extent, the MFC signal, both in presence of reversing trends and in absence of these phenomena. In absence of reversing trends, nanoceria enhanced the MFC voltage. Such signal trends from MFCs can give, in real-time, useful information to optimize the purification process without the necessity of frequent biological and chemical analyses.
Highlights
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have been extensively proposed as a valid alternative to traditional sensors for the wastewater treatment providing a comparatively cheaper and faster solution, showing high linearity, stability, and good reproducibility [1]
The average of the voltage of each type of planar MFCs operated at Bresso wastewater plant during different period of time is shown in the graphics of Figure 2
It is worthy to note the versatility of simple MFC such as the one tested here, which signal can give useful information on the biology occurring in the wastewater process, as well as on some physical-chemical parameters and nutrients, in real-time
Summary
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have been extensively proposed as a valid alternative to traditional sensors for the wastewater treatment providing a comparatively cheaper and faster solution, showing high linearity, stability, and good reproducibility [1]. Long-term testing of microbial fuel cells in wastewater plant were seldom documented. Previous works documented the performance of planar MFCs, demonstrating their capability of returning a signal related to physical and chemical parameters of the environment, such as light, temperature and dissolved organics [2,3,4]. In continuity with previous experiences carried out in Italian wastewater plants [2, 3], sets of microbial fuel cells of planar geometry were carried in a different wastewater plant (CAP Group, wastewater plant Bresso, Italy), and using different carbon electrodes for the cathode. Previous lab tests with Ce-doped cathodes of air breathing cathodes in single chamber microbial fuel cells demonstrated an improved performance of the electrochemical system [4], induced by the presence of Ceria nanoparticle in the air cathode. The results of monitoring in anoxic tank of the wastewater plant is here compared, aiming at the monitoring of the process during different period of the year
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