Investigating a cascade of seven hydraulically connected microbial fuel cells

Winfield, Jonathan; Ieropoulos, Ioannis; Greenman, John

Abstract

Seven miniature microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were hydraulically linked in sequence and operated in continuous-flow (cascade). Power output and treatment efficiency were investigated using varying organic loads, flow-rates and electrical configurations. When fed synthetic wastewater low in organic load (1. mM acetate) only the first MFC operated stably over a 72-h period. Acetate feedstock at 5. mM was enough to sustain the first four MFCs, and 10. mM acetate was sufficient to maintain all MFCs at stable power densities. COD was reduced from 69 to 25. mg/L (64%, 1. mM acetate), 319-34. mg/L (90%, 5. mM acetate) and 545-264. mg/L (52%, 10. mM acetate). Fluctuating flow-rates improved performance in downstream MFCs. When connected electrically in parallel, power output was two-fold and current production 10-fold higher than when connected in series. The results suggest cascades of MFCs could be employed to complement or improve biological trickling filters. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2012
• Deposit Date: Aug 6, 2012
• Journal: Bioresource Technology
• Print ISSN: 0960-8524
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 110
• Pages: 245-250
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2012.01.095
• Keywords: microbial fuel cell, miniature, cascade, stack, wastewater treatment
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/948621
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2012.01.095
• Additional Information: Additional Information : First published online 31 Jan 2012
• Contract Date: Nov 15, 2016