The impact of electrode reuse on the biofilm community and performance of whey-fuelled H-type microbial fuel cell

Abstract

2) was obtained during the third reuse cycle with a coulombic efficiency of 0.25%. The highest tCOD removal (44.6%) was however, noted during the second cycle. The performance of reactors depended on the number of reuse cycles with the third cycle proving to be the best after which there was a decline in power density. In addition, molecular analyses of anodophilic microorganisms showed the presence of three species related to strains from Lactobacillus helveticus (85% identity), Proteus mirabilis (96%) and Escherichia coli (96%). Therefore the necessity of biofilm build up should take into account the limitation of maximum number of reuse cycles where the flora will be performing at its best.