Performance of Microbial Fuel Cell for Wastewater Treatment and Electricity Generation

Renewable energy will have an important role as a resource of energy in the future. Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a promising method to obtain electricity from organic matter and<br />wastewater treatment simultaneously. In a pilot study, use of microbial fuel cell for wastewater treatment and electricity generation investigated. The bacteria of ruminant used as inoculums. Synthetic wastewater used at different organic loading rate. Hydraulic retention time was an<br />effective factor in removal of soluble COD and more than 49% removed. Optimized HRT to achieve the maximum removal efficiency and sustainable operation could be regarded 1.5 and 2.5 hours. Columbic efficiency (CE) affected by organic loading rate (OLR) and by increasing OLR, CE reduced from 71% to 8%. Maximum voltage was 700mV. Since the microbial fuel cell reactor considered as an anaerobic process, it may be an appropriate alternative for wastewater treatmen

Electricity Generation from Synthetic Wastewater Treatment in Microbial Fuel Cell

Background and Objectives: Microbial fuel cell (MFC) used for electricity generation and wastewater treatment, simultaneously. In MFC, microorganisms act as a catalyst to convert chemical energy stored in organic materials into electrical energy. This study was performed with the aim of electricity generation from synthetic wastewater treatment in microbial fuel cell.Methods: A dual chambered microbial fuel cell was operated in continuous flow for 720 hours at temperature 20±4ºC at different organic loading rates and hydraulic retention times. Results: Organic loading rate and hydraulic retention time were effective factors for the power production and removal of organic loading rate. Maximum COD removal efficiency was observed as 49% for a period of 1.5 to 2.5 hours that this range of time can be used as optimum retention time for operation of microbial fuel cell reactor. Maximum voltage and power production were obtained 700 mV and 1700 mW/m2, respectively.Conclusion: Considering the advantages such as direct electricity generation from wastewater and considerable removal efficiency of organic loading rate, wastewater treatment in a microbial fuel cell, application of industrial scale microbial fuel cell for wastewater treatment is recommended after complementary studies and economic assessment