Floating-type microbial fuel cell (FT-MFC) for treating organic-contaminated water

This study examines a floating-type microbial fuel cell (FT-MFC) that can be applied to treat organic-contaminated water without mechanical aid. The bottom of the anode compartment was left open to the aquatic environment and the cathode was exposed above the water surface. When four FT-MFCs were inoculated with anaerobic digest fluid (ADF) obtained from a brewery wastewater treatment system (Gwangju, Korea), the open circuit voltages were around 0.4-0.5 V. The initial chemical oxygen demand (COD) of ADF was 1700 ppm and decreased to 380 ppm over a 2-day period under the open circuit mode. Two of the four FT-MFCs were then switched to closed circuit mode to view the current production under batch operation. The current developed was around 0.25 mA and the COD value decreased to 230 ppm after 5 days. The acetate concentration used was varied from 5 to 50 mM to observe whether or notthe substrate was limited bythe growth of bacteria involved in current generation. It was found that the current was maximized at 0.67 mA when 5 mM of acetate was fed at a feeding rate of 0.08 mL/min. Maximum current density and maximum power density were 138 mA/m2 and 8 mW/m2, respectively. These results indicate that FT-MFCs could be applied in situ to treat organic-contaminated water in natural aquatic environments without mechanical aid. Further cathode operation optimization is expected to enhance the treatment of organic materials and corresponding current production.