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Control of malodorous hydrogen sulfide compounds using microbial fuel cell
Numfon Eaktasang1, Hyeong-Sik Min, Christina Kang
1Department of Environmental Engineering, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 143-701, Korea.
Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering
|January 9, 2013
Summary
This study used a microbial fuel cell (MFC) to control malodorous hydrogen sulfide from wastewater. The MFC effectively reduced hydrogen sulfide compounds, generating electricity and indicating potential for malodor monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Electrochemistry
- Wastewater Treatment
Background:
- Domestic wastewater generates malodorous hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) compounds.
- Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer a potential solution for H₂S control and energy recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of an MFC in controlling H₂S generated from domestic wastewater.
- To explore the relationship between MFC performance and H₂S reduction.
- To assess the potential of MFC electricity generation as an indicator for malodor control.
Main Methods:
- Operation of a microbial fuel cell (MFC) with domestic wastewater for 170 hours.
- Monitoring of current density, redox potential, and sulfate levels in the anode compartment.
- Analysis of sulfur deposits on the anode using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS).
- Elemental analysis of anode surface deposits.
Main Results:
- The MFC exhibited a two-step increase in electricity production, reaching maximum current densities of 118.6 ± 7.2 mA m⁻² and 176.8 ± 9.4 mA m⁻².
- Microbial H₂S production was suppressed, and generated H₂S was electrochemically oxidized, confirmed by sulfur deposits on the anode.
- High reduction efficiencies were achieved: 67.5% for HS⁻ and 96.4% for H₂S(g).
Conclusions:
- MFCs are effective in controlling malodorous H₂S compounds in domestic wastewater.
- The electricity generated by the MFC can serve as a reliable indicator for real-time malodor control.
- Electrochemical oxidation of H₂S in MFCs contributes significantly to both pollution control and energy production.
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