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Single Chamber Membrane Less Microbial Fuel Cell for Simultaneous Energy Generation and Lead Removal

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Abstract

In this study, the performance of a single chamber membrane less microbial fuel cell with an iodine-doped polypyrrole-coated graphite felt anode that uses lead as the electron acceptor at the cathode was studied. The removal oflead for concentrations viz, 10, 20, and 30 ppm, were studied using pure culture of Shewanella putrefaciens and removal of above 85% was obtained at anaerobic conditions. The maximum possible power density, coloumbic efficiency, and TOC removal at 20 ppm Pb (maximum tolerable concentration) were obtained as 2.32 W/m2, 17.797 and 93.3%, respectively. A closed circuit voltage of 0.779 V was attained using a mixed culture for 20 ppm Pb and was found to be higher than that of the pure culture (0.752 V). These results show that wastewater containing heavy metal can be treated in microbial fuel cells with simultaneous energy generation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut, Kozhikode, India

    A. Sumisha, V. Harshini, Asmita Das & K. Haribabu

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  1. A. Sumisha
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  2. V. Harshini
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Correspondence to K. Haribabu.

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Sumisha, A., Harshini, V., Das, A. et al. Single Chamber Membrane Less Microbial Fuel Cell for Simultaneous Energy Generation and Lead Removal. Russ J Electrochem 58, 143–150 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1023193522020094

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1023193522020094

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