Abstract
Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a green technology that converts the stored chemical energy of organic matter to electricity; therefore, it can be used for wastewater purification and energy production simultaneously. In this study, three kinds of dairy products, including milk, cheese water, and yogurt water, were mixed with Acid orange 7 (AO7) as the model wastewater and used as the anolyte of an MFC. The capability of the system in energy production and dye removal was also investigated. The FESEM images were used to investigate the biofilms attachment to the anodes. Moreover, the polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV), voltage–time profiles, and coulombic efficiency were used to evaluate the electrochemical activity of the MFCs. Based on the CV results, the biofilm formation significantly improved the electrochemical activity of the electrodes. Maximum power density, voltage, and coulombic efficiency were obtained as 44.05 mW.m−2, 332.4 mV, and 1.76%, respectively, for cheese water + AO7 anolyte, but the milk + AO7 MFC produced a stable voltage for a long time and its performance was similar to the cheese water + AO7 anolyte. Maximum COD removal and decolorization efficiencies were obtained equal to 84.57 and 92.18% for yogurt water + AO7 and cheese water + AO7 anolytes, respectively.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abdollahi B, Shakeri A, Aber S, Sharifi Bonab M (2018) Simultaneous photodegradation of acid orange 7 and removal of Pb2+ from polluted water using reusable clinoptilolite–TiO2 nanocomposite. Res Chem Intermed 44:1505–1521. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-017-3181-3
Barsoukov E, Macdonald JR (eds) (2005) Impedance spectroscopy: theory, experiment, and applications, 2nd edn. Wiley-Interscience, Hoboken
Burkitt R, Whiffen TR, Yu EH (2016) Iron phthalocyanine and MnOx composite catalysts for microbial fuel cell applications. Appl Catal B Environ 181:279–288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2015.07.010
Cao X, Wang H, Li X, Fang Z, Li XN (2017) Enhanced degradation of azo dye by a stacked microbial fuel cell-biofilm electrode reactor coupled system. Bioresour Technol 227:273–278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2016.12.043
Chen B-Y, Zhang M-M, Ding Y, Chang C-T (2010) Feasibility study of simultaneous bioelectricity generation and dye decolorization using naturally occurring decolorizers. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 41:682–688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtice.2010.02.005
Chen W, Liu Z, Hou J, Zhou Y, Lou X, Li Y (2018) Enhancing performance of microbial fuel cells by using novel double-layer-capacitor-materials modified anodes. Int J Hydrog Energy 43:1816–1823. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.11.034
Choi Y-J, Jung E-K, Park H-J et al (2007) Effect of initial carbon sources on the performance of a microbial fuel cell containing environmental microorganism Micrococcus luteus. Bull Kor Chem Soc 28:1591–1594
Cirik K (2014) Optimization of bioelectricity generation in fed-batch microbial fuel cell: effect of electrode material, initial substrate concentration, and cycle time. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 173:205–214. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-014-0834-1
Dominguez-Benetton X, Sevda S, Vanbroekhoven K, Pant D (2012) The accurate use of impedance analysis for the study of microbial electrochemical systems. Chem Soc Rev 41:7228–7246. https://doi.org/10.1039/c2cs35026b
Fang Z, Cheng S, Wang H, Cao X, Li X (2017) Feasibility study of simultaneous azo dye decolorization and bioelectricity generation by microbial fuel cell-coupled constructed wetland: substrate effects. RSC Adv 7:16542–16552. https://doi.org/10.1039/C7RA01255A
Faria A, Gonçalves L, Peixoto JM, Peixoto L, Brito AG, Martins G (2017) Resources recovery in the dairy industry: bioelectricity production using a continuous microbial fuel cell. J Clean Prod 140:971–976. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.04.027
Fernando E, Keshavarz T, Kyazze G (2012) Enhanced bio-decolourisation of acid orange 7 by Shewanella oneidensis through co-metabolism in a microbial fuel cell. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 72:1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2012.04.010
Fernando E, Keshavarz T, Kyazze G (2014a) Complete degradation of the azo dye acid orange-7 and bioelectricity generation in an integrated microbial fuel cell, aerobic two-stage bioreactor system in continuous flow mode at ambient temperature. Bioresour Technol 156:155–162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2014.01.036
Fernando E, Keshavarz T, Kyazze G (2014b) External resistance as a potential tool for influencing azo dye reductive decolourisation kinetics in microbial fuel cells. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 89:7–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2013.12.011
Galai S, Pérez de los Ríos A, Hernández-Fernández FJ et al (2015) Microbial fuel cell application for azoic dye decolorization with simultaneous bioenergy production using Stenotrophomonas sp. Chem Eng Technol 38:1511–1518. https://doi.org/10.1002/ceat.201400608
Garino N, Sacco A, Castellino M, Muñoz-Tabares JA, Chiodoni A, Agostino V, Margaria V, Gerosa M, Massaglia G, Quaglio M (2016) Microwave-assisted synthesis of reduced graphene oxide/SnO2 nanocomposite for oxygen reduction reaction in microbial fuel cells. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 8:4633–4643. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5b11198
Ge Z, Li J, Xiao L, Tong, Y, He Z (2014) Recovery of electrical energy in microbial fuel cells: brief review. Environ Sci Tech Let 1(2):137–141. https://doi.org/10.1021/ez4000324
Gupta S, Yadav A, Singh S, Verma N (2017) Synthesis of silicon carbide-derived carbon as an electrode of a microbial fuel cell and an adsorbent of aqueous Cr(VI). Ind Eng Chem Res 56:1233–1244. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.6b03832
Harnisch F, Freguia S (2012) A basic tutorial on cyclic voltammetry for the investigation of electroactive microbial biofilms. Chem Asian J 7:466–475. https://doi.org/10.1002/asia.201100740
Hassan AN, Nelson BK (2012) Invited review: anaerobic fermentation of dairy food wastewater. J Dairy Sci 95:6188–6203. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2012-5732
Hassan M, Pous N, Xie B, Colprim J, Balaguer MD, Puig S (2017) Influence of iron species on integrated microbial fuel cell and electro-Fenton process treating landfill leachate. Chem Eng J 328:57–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2017.07.025
Hindatu Y, Annuar MSM, Gumel AM (2017) Mini-review: anode modification for improved performance of microbial fuel cell. Renew Sust Energ Rev 73:236–248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.01.138
Holkar CR, Arora H, Halder D, Pinjari DV (2018) Biodegradation of reactive blue 19 with simultaneous electricity generation by the newly isolated electrogenic Klebsiella sp. C NCIM 5546 bacterium in a microbial fuel cell. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 133:194–201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2018.07.011
Holkar CR, Jadhav AJ, Pinjari DV, Mahamuni NM, Pandit AB (2016) A critical review on textile wastewater treatments: possible approaches. J Environ Manag 182:351–366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.07.090
Hsueh C-C, Wang Y-M, Chen B-Y (2014) Metabolite analysis on reductive biodegradation of reactive green 19 in Enterobacter cancerogenus bearing microbial fuel cell (MFC) and non-MFC cultures. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 45:436–443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtice.2013.05.003
Huang L, Li X, Ren Y, Wang X (2016) In-situ modified carbon cloth with polyaniline/graphene as anode to enhance performance of microbial fuel cell. Int J Hydrog Energy 41:11369–11379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.05.048
Islam MA, Ethiraj B, Cheng CK, Yousuf A, Thiruvenkadam S, Prasad R, Rahman Khan MM (2018) Enhanced current generation using mutualistic interaction of yeast-bacterial coculture in dual chamber microbial fuel cell. Ind Eng Chem Res 57:813–821. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.7b01855
Ismail ZZ, Habeeb AA (2017) Experimental and modeling study of simultaneous power generation and pharmaceutical wastewater treatment in microbial fuel cell based on mobilized biofilm bearers. Renew Energy 101:1256–1265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2016.10.008
Jadhav DA, Deshpande PA, Ghangrekar MM (2017) Enhancing the performance of single-chambered microbial fuel cell using manganese/palladium and zirconium/palladium composite cathode catalysts. Bioresour Technol 238:568–574. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2017.04.085
Jegatheesan V, Pramanik BK, Chen J, Navaratna D, Chang CY, Shu L (2016) Treatment of textile wastewater with membrane bioreactor: a critical review. Bioresour Technol 204:202–212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2016.01.006
Karadag D, Koroglu OE, Ozkaya B, Cakmakci M, Heaven S, Banks C, Serna-Maza A (2015a) Anaerobic granular reactors for the treatment of dairy wastewater: a review. Int J Dairy Technol 68:459–470. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0307.12252
Karadag D, Köroğlu OE, Ozkaya B, Cakmakci M (2015b) A review on anaerobic biofilm reactors for the treatment of dairy industry wastewater. Process Biochem 50:262–271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2014.11.005
Kardi SN, Ibrahim N, Rashid NAA, Darzi GN (2016) Simultaneous acid red 27 decolourisation and bioelectricity generation in a (H-type) microbial fuel cell configuration using NAR-2. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23:3358–3364. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-5538-8
Katheresan V, Kansedo J, Lau SY (2018) Efficiency of various recent wastewater dye removal methods: a review. J Environ Chem Eng 6:4676–4697. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2018.06.060
Khan MD, Khan N, Sultana S, Joshi R, Ahmed S, Yu E, Scott K, Ahmad A, Khan MZ (2017) Bioelectrochemical conversion of waste to energy using microbial fuel cell technology. Process Biochem 57:141–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2017.04.001
Kim BH, Park HS, Kim HJ, Kim GT, Chang IS, Lee J, Phung NT (2004) Enrichment of microbial community generating electricity using a fuel-cell-type electrochemical cell. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 63:672–681. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-003-1412-6
Kim GT, Webster G, Wimpenny JWT, Kim BH, Kim HJ, Weightman AJ (2006) Bacterial community structure, compartmentalization and activity in a microbial fuel cell. J Appl Microbiol 101:698–710. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2006.02923.x
Lai C-Y, Wu C-H, Meng C-T, Lin C-W (2017) Decolorization of azo dye and generation of electricity by microbial fuel cell with laccase-producing white-rot fungus on cathode. Appl Energy 188:392–398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.12.044
Liu X-W, Huang Y-X, Sun X-F, Sheng GP, Zhao F, Wang SG, Yu HQ (2014) Conductive carbon nanotube hydrogel as a bioanode for enhanced microbial electrocatalysis. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 6:8158–8164. https://doi.org/10.1021/am500624k
Logan BE (2008) Microbial fuel cells. Wiley-Interscience, Hoboken
Logan BE, Hamelers B, Rozendal R, Schröder U, Keller J, Freguia S, Aelterman P, Verstraete W, Rabaey K (2006) Microbial fuel cells: methodology and technology. Environ Sci Technol 40:5181–5192. https://doi.org/10.1021/es0605016
Mani P, Keshavarz T, Chandra TS, Kyazze G (2017a) Decolourisation of acid orange 7 in a microbial fuel cell with a laccase-based biocathode: influence of mitigating pH changes in the cathode chamber. Enzym Microb Technol 96:170–176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enzmictec.2016.10.012
Mani P, Keshavarz T, Chandra TS, Kyazze G (2017b) Decolourisation of acid orange 7 in a microbial fuel cell with a laccase-based biocathode: influence of mitigating pH changes in the cathode chamber. Enzym Microb Technol 96:170–176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enzmictec.2016.10.012
Mehdinia A, Ziaei E, Jabbari A (2014) Multi-walled carbon nanotube/SnO2 nanocomposite: a novel anode material for microbial fuel cells. Electrochim Acta 130:512–518. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2014.03.011
Miran W, Nawaz M, Jang J, Lee DS (2016) Sustainable electricity generation by biodegradation of low-cost lemon peel biomass in a dual chamber microbial fuel cell. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 106:75–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2015.10.009
Miran W, Nawaz M, Kadam A, Shin S, Heo J, Jang J, Lee DS (2015) Microbial community structure in a dual chamber microbial fuel cell fed with brewery waste for azo dye degradation and electricity generation. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22:13477–13485. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-4582-8
Modi A, Singh S, Verma N (2016) In situ nitrogen-doping of nickel nanoparticle-dispersed carbon nanofiber-based electrodes: its positive effects on the performance of a microbial fuel cell. Electrochim Acta 190:620–627. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2015.12.191
Pasupuleti SB, Srikanth S, Dominguez-Benetton X, Mohan SV, Pant D (2016) Dual gas diffusion cathode design for microbial fuel cell (MFC): optimizing the suitable mode of operation in terms of bioelectrochemical and bioelectro-kinetic evaluation: dual gas diffusion cathode design for microbial fuel cell (MFC). J Chem Technol Biotechnol 91:624–639. https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.4613
Penteado ED, Fernandez-Marchante CM, Zaiat M, Gonzalez ER, Rodrigo MA (2017) Influence of carbon electrode material on energy recovery from winery wastewater using a dual-chamber microbial fuel cell. Environ Technol 38:1333–1341. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593330.2016.1226961
Rice EW, Baird RB, Eaton AD (2017) Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 23rd edn. American Public Health Association
Rikame SS, Mungray AA, Mungray AK (2012) Electricity generation from acidogenic food waste leachate using dual chamber mediator less microbial fuel cell. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 75:131–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2012.09.006
Samsudeen N, Radhakrishnan TK, Matheswaran M (2015) Bioelectricity production from microbial fuel cell using mixed bacterial culture isolated from distillery wastewater. Bioresour Technol 195:242–247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2015.07.023
Savizi ISP, Kariminia H-R, Bakhshian S (2012) Simultaneous decolorization and bioelectricity generation in a dual chamber microbial fuel cell using electropolymerized-enzymatic cathode. Environ Sci Technol 46:6584–6593. https://doi.org/10.1021/es300367h
Schröder U (2007) Anodic electron transfer mechanisms in microbial fuel cells and their energy efficiency. Phys Chem Chem Phys 9:2619–2629. https://doi.org/10.1039/B703627M
Shin J-W, Song Y-H, An B-M, Seo SJ, Park JY (2014) Energy recovery of ethanolamine in wastewater using an air-cathode microbial fuel cell. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 95:117–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2014.05.021
Su CX-H, Low LW, Teng TT, Wong YS (2016) Combination and hybridisation of treatments in dye wastewater treatment: a review. J Environ Chem Eng 4:3618–3631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2016.07.026
Sun Z, Cao R, Huang M, Chen D, Zheng W, Lin L (2015) Effect of light irradiation on the photoelectricity performance of microbial fuel cell with a copper oxide nanowire photocathode. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 300:38–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2014.12.003
Thung W-E, Ong S-A, Ho L-N, Wong YS, Ridwan F, Lehl HK, Oon YL, Oon YS (2018) Biodegradation of acid orange 7 in a combined anaerobic-aerobic up-flow membrane-less microbial fuel cell: mechanism of biodegradation and electron transfer. Chem Eng J 336:397–405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2017.12.028
Varanasi JL, Nayak AK, Sohn Y, Pradhan D, Das D (2016) Improvement of power generation of microbial fuel cell by integrating tungsten oxide electrocatalyst with pure or mixed culture biocatalysts. Electrochim Acta 199:154–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2016.03.152
Venkata Mohan S, Mohanakrishna G, Velvizhi G, Babu VL, Sarma PN (2010) Bio-catalyzed electrochemical treatment of real field dairy wastewater with simultaneous power generation. Biochem Eng J 51:32–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bej.2010.04.012
Wang G, Wei L, Cao C, Su M, Shen J (2017) Novel resolution-contrast method employed for investigating electron transfer mechanism of the mixed bacteria microbial fuel cell. Int J Hydrog Energy 42:11614–11621. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.02.029
Wang H, Luo H, Fallgren PH, Jin S, Ren ZJ (2015) Bioelectrochemical system platform for sustainable environmental remediation and energy generation. Biotechnol Adv 33:317–334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2015.04.003
Wong NP (ed) (1988) Fundamentals of dairy chemistry, 3rd edn. Van Nostrand Reihold Co, New York
Yuan G-E, Li Y, Lv J, Zhang G, Yang F (2017) Integration of microbial fuel cell and catalytic oxidation reactor with iron phthalocyanine catalyst for Congo red degradation. Biochem Eng J 120:118–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bej.2017.01.005
Yuan X-Z, Song C, Wang H, Zhang J (2010) Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in PEM fuel cells. Springer, London
Zhao F, Slade RCT, Varcoe JR (2009) Techniques for the study and development of microbial fuel cells: an electrochemical perspective. Chem Soc Rev 38:1926–1939. https://doi.org/10.1039/b819866g
Zhao N, Angelidaki I, Zhang Y (2017) Electricity generation and microbial community in response to short-term changes in stack connection of self-stacked submersible microbial fuel cell powered by glycerol. Water Res 109:367–374. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2016.11.064
Acknowledgments
This research was performed in the Research Laboratory of Environmental Protection Technology (RLEPT) of the University of Tabriz with the support of the central laboratory and other sections and also financial help of the university. The authors would like to appreciate all the support received from the University of Tabriz.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Responsible Editor: Weiming Zhang
Publisher’s note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Highlights
• Azo dye decolorization in a MFC system using dairy products was studied for the first time.
• The produced biofilms were rich in microorganisms.
• Cheese water + AO7 and milk + AO7 as the anolytes of MFC had > 80% COD removal and > 90% decolorization efficiencies.
• It was shown that the type of anolyte has significant impression on the electrochemical activity.
• High power density and voltage output were achieved for cheese water + AO7 and milk + AO7 anolytes with long-time stable voltage.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tajdid Khajeh, R., Aber, S., Nofouzi, K. et al. Treatment of mixed dairy and dye wastewater in anode of microbial fuel cell with simultaneous electricity generation. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 43711–43723 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10232-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10232-1