Advances in microbial fuel cell technologies for bioremediation and energy recovery from wastewater

Abstract

Bioelectricity generation from degradation of contaminants is the central premise for Microbial fuel cell or MFC operation. There has been a logarithmic increase in the refinement of MFC architecture that can support stable microbial biofilms over the years. In this work the advances with MFCs are covered with their design aspects. An overview is presented of the electrodes used in such systems with the capacity for contamination removal and bioelectricity production. Additionally, the importance of exoelectrogens in facilitating extracellular electron transfer mechanisms is evaluated. Further the factors, such as pH influencing proton transfer with temperature influencing microbial kinetics is also covered. The importance of biofilm formation in both synthetic and real time wastewater is analysed with the help of the MFC reactor design and the capacity of the cathode to act as a terminal electron acceptor. The cost analysis of MFC technologies with anaerobic digesters shows some profitable aspect which can be further improvised through mathematical models. Designing robust MFC systems adaptable to varying wastewater conditions is critical for advancing practical applications and achieving sustainable energy recovery.