Wastewater Treatment and Electricity Generation with Different Cathode Solutions in MFC

Abstract

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) with cathode and anode chambers was utilized to generate power while simultaneously removing COD from wastewater. By utilizing various oxidant solutions, it is possible to increase the generated voltage. The anode chamber was used for anaerobic treatment of synthetic wastewater (approximately 1000 mg/L), whereas the cathode chamber contained various oxidant solutions such as dilute hydrogen peroxide (300 mg/L), KMnO4 (300 mg/L), K2Cr2O7 (300 mg/L) and Fenton reagent (H2O2/Fe(II), 300/20 mg/L). Aerobic wastewater treatment and intermittent ozonation were also tested in the cathode chamber. With intermittent ozonation of the cathode chamber, the highest power output (382 mW/m2) was obtained. At the conclusion of the operation period, the COD concentration in the anode chamber decreased from 1170 mg/L to 650 mg/L, resulting in nearly 45% COD removal. In the cathode chamber, the use of diluted KMnO4 and H2O2 solutions produced high power densities of 35 and 23 W/m2, respectively, while the other oxidants produced low power densities. At the end of 72 hours, the COD content of the anaerobic chamber decreased from 800 mg/L to nearly 333 mg/L, resulting in nearly 59% COD removal for the KMnO4 solution. Considering the high cost of ozonation, it is recommended that either aerobic wastewater treatment or dilute KMnO4/H2O2 solutions should be used in the cathode chamber for high power generation.