Sustainable Power Generation in Continuous Flow Microbial Fuel Cell Treating Actual Wastewater: Influence of Biocatalyst Type on Electricity Production

Zainab Z Ismail,Ali Jwied Jaeel

doi:10.1155/2013/713515

Zainab Z Ismail, Ali Jwied Jaeel

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/713515

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Abstract

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have the potential to simultaneously treat wastewater for reuse and to generate electricity. This study mainly considers the performance of an upflow dual-chambered MFC continuously fueled with actual domestic wastewater and alternatively biocatalyzed with aerobic activated sludge and strain of Bacillus Subtilis. The behavior of MFCs during initial biofilm growth and characterization of anodic biofilm were studied. After 45 days of continuous operation, the biofilms on the anodic electrode were well developed. The performance of MFCs was mainly evaluated in terms of COD reductions and electrical power output. Results revealed that the COD removal efficiency was 84% and 90% and the stabilized power outputs were clearly observed achieving a maximum value of 120 and 270 mW/m2 obtained for MFCs inoculated with mixed cultures and Bacillus Subtilis strain, respectively.

Highlights

In recent years, interest in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) has grown considerably because they provide a way to generate electricity and because they can be coupled with wastewater treatment [1]
The inoculums were maintained without wastewater feeding for 7 days till biofilms attached to the anode surfaces were well observed
Thereafter, the actual wastewater was fed to the anode chamber with chemical oxygen demand (COD) initial concentration of 350 mg/L to support the formation of biomass and subsequent adaptation to the new microenvironment

Summary

Introduction

Interest in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) has grown considerably because they provide a way to generate electricity and because they can be coupled with wastewater treatment [1]. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are bioelectrochemical systems that generate electricity by oxidation of organic or inorganic substrates catalyzed by microorganisms [2]. The electrons generated from the oxidation of organic substrates by microbes are generally transferred to a high potential electron acceptor such as dissolved oxygen in the medium. In MFCs, electrons are transported to an insoluble electrode (anode) through an electrical circuit to reach the cathode, where electron acceptors are reduced. As the current flows over a resistance, electrical energy is directly generated from the MFC [3]. When using a mixed community, the electrochemical activity of a few bacterial species enhances the power output of the whole system [5, 6]

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