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COD removal characteristics in air-cathode microbial fuel cells.

Xiaoyuan Zhang1, Weihua He2, Lijiao Ren3

  • 1State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China; Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Penn State University, 231Q Sackett Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA.

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Summary

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) using wastewater showed varied substrate removal and lower coulombic efficiencies (CEs) compared to acetate. While MFCs enhance COD removal, additional treatment is necessary for discharge.

Keywords:
COD removal rateCoulombic efficiencyDomestic wastewaterFirst-order reactionMicrobial fuel cell

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Electrochemistry
  • Wastewater Treatment

Background:

  • Exoelectrogenic microorganisms in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) compete for substrates.
  • Understanding this competition is crucial for optimizing MFC performance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare substrate removal rates, current generation, and coulombic efficiencies (CEs) in MFCs fed acetate versus domestic wastewater (WW).
  • To investigate the impact of circuit resistance on removal kinetics and MFC efficiency.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of MFCs using acetate and filtered/raw domestic wastewater.
  • Kinetic modeling of substrate removal rates under varying circuit resistances (e.g., 100Ω, open circuit).
  • Measurement of current generation and coulombic efficiencies.

Main Results:

  • Substrate removal rates followed first-order kinetics, with rate constants influenced by circuit resistance.
  • Filtered WW at 100Ω showed a higher removal rate constant (0.18h⁻¹) than acetate or open-circuit WW (0.10h⁻¹).
  • Coulombic efficiencies were significantly lower with WW (15-24%) compared to acetate.
  • Raw WW exhibited a two-stage COD removal: rapid with high current, followed by slow removal with low current.

Conclusions:

  • MFCs can enhance COD removal rates, particularly with domestic wastewater under specific circuit conditions.
  • Lower coulombic efficiencies in WW highlight competition and potential limitations for direct energy recovery.
  • Secondary treatment processes remain essential for achieving discharge-level COD reduction after MFC treatment.