Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are attracting considerable attention as innovative systems for energy production from renewable residual biomass and biomass-derived wastes dissolved in wastewaters. The current produced by a microbial fuel cell can also be used to quantify the rate of specific metabolic processes and the substrate concentration in real time. Aim of this work is the study of the correlation between the decay of current density in a microbial fuel cell and the concentration of the residual organic substrates when it reaches low concentration, in the rage of 0–500 mg/L COD. Tests were performed in continuous flow using an air breathing, membraneless MFC using sodium acetate as organic substrate. A direct concentration-dependent current output was achieved in the range of 0–100 mg/l, with a Monod kinetics as the best-fitting model. A step of current was also achieved at concentration higher than 120 mg/L.
Highlights
Microbial fuel cells is a bioelectrochemical system that makes use of microorganisms or their enzymes to catalyse redox reactions on or near electrodes
Such devices are based on the bacteria electroactivity, but on the Stainless Steel cathode that induce an increase of Zinc ions dissolution at the anode
The present experimentation addresses the new target of developing a simple bioelectrochemical sensor of the residual biodegradable organics dissolved in the water, using a microbial fuel cell
Summary
Microbial fuel cells is a bioelectrochemical system that makes use of microorganisms or their enzymes to catalyse redox reactions on or near electrodes. Some studies tried to assess a correlation between the electrical output and the bioelectrochemical degradation of organic matter as a measure of the substrate concentration available for microbial degradation The rationale behind this possible application is that electrical current is proportional to the electrons that flow into the electrochemical system per time unit. Simple electrochemical biofilm sensor based on the current increase in a bio-battery made of Stainless Steel and Zinc, connected to an high value resistance and immersed directly in flow water[11] or in soil,[12] was successfully developed in the past, but with a different approach Such devices are based on the bacteria electroactivity, but on the Stainless Steel cathode that induce an increase of Zinc ions dissolution at the anode. A special attention has been paid to the concentration range of 0–120 mg/L COD, which is the maximum COD allowed at the discharge of the wastewater plants by the Italian rule[14] and European recommendations (UE Water Framework Directive)
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