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Comparative Studies of Recirculatory Microbial Desalination Cell-Microbial Electrolysis Cell Coupled Systems
Desmond Ato Koomson1, Jingyu Huang1, Guang Li2
1Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, College of Environmental Engineering, Hohai University, No. 1 Xikang Road, Nanjing 210098, China.
Membranes
|September 26, 2021
Summary
The combined microbial desalination cell-microbial electrolysis cell (MDC-MEC) system efficiently removes heavy metals and ammonium from wastewater while generating power. Single-chamber MECs showed higher metal removal, while dual-chamber MECs produced more current for desalination.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Biotechnology
- Wastewater Treatment
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Microbial desalination cell-microbial electrolysis cell (MDC-MEC) coupled systems offer a novel approach for simultaneous wastewater treatment, power generation, and desalination.
- Efficient removal of specific pollutants like heavy metals (Fe2+, Pb2+) and ammonium ions is crucial for effective wastewater management.
- Evaluating different MEC configurations (single-chamber vs. dual-chamber) is essential for optimizing coupled system performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the simultaneous removal of Fe2+, Pb2+, and ammonium ions using a recirculatory MDC-MEC coupled system.
- To compare the performance of single-chamber MEC (SCMEC) and dual-chamber MEC (DCMEC) coupled with MDC (MDCF) in terms of pollutant removal, power generation, and desalination.
- To assess the impact of MEC configuration on heavy metal removal efficiency, current density, voltage production, and desalination capacity over a 48-hour cycle.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a recirculatory MDC-MEC coupled system.
- Utilized both single-chamber MEC (SCMEC) and dual-chamber MEC (DCMEC) configurations, coupled with MDC containing Ferricyanide (MDCF).
- Monitored heavy metal (Pb2+, Fe2+) and ammonium ion removal, voltage, current, and power generation over a 48-hour period.
Main Results:
- SCMEC demonstrated higher Pb2+ (74.61%) and Fe2+ (85.05%) removal efficiencies compared to DCMEC, attributed to microbial biosorption and cathodic reduction.
- DCMEC achieved a higher current density (753.62 mAm-2) than SCMEC (463.77 mAm-2), leading to enhanced desalination in MDCF.
- The MDCF system produced a higher voltage (627 mV) than the control MDC (505 mV), indicating its effectiveness as a power source for the MECs. Stable pH and conductivity supported system operation.
Conclusions:
- The MDC-MEC coupled system is effective for simultaneous wastewater treatment, power generation, and desalination.
- SCMEC configuration is superior for heavy metal removal, while DCMEC excels in current generation for desalination.
- This study provides a foundation for scaling up MDC-MEC coupled systems for industrial applications.
