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Energy generation from domestic wastewater using sandwich dual-chamber microbial fuel cell with mesh current collector cathode

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Abstract

A sandwich domestic wastewater-fed dual-chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC) was designed for energy generation and wastewater treatment. The generated power density by the MFC was observed to increase with increasing chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the domestic wastewater. The maximum power density was 251 mW m−2 when the COD was 3400 mg L−1 at a current density of 0.054 mA cm−2 and external resistance of 200 Ω. These values dropped to 60 mW m−2 (76 % lower) and 0.003 mA cm−2 using wastewater 91 % diluted to 300 mg L−1 COD. Maximum removals were: COD, 89 %; nitrite, 60 %; nitrate, 77 %; total nitrogen, 36 %; and phosphate, 26 %. Coulombic efficiency ranged from 5 to 7 %. The use of full-strength domestic wastewater reduces cost, and with improved reactor design, the ultimate goal of large-scale operation could be achieved.

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Acknowledgments

The University of Johannesburg is gratefully acknowledged for supporting this project. This research was co funded with National Research Fund (NRF) THRIP Grant UID: 90260 and ESKOM Grant (Energy generation from Microbial Fuel Cell). Also, the Young Water Professional (YWP), South Africa is acknowledged for facilitating a research writing workshop at the University of Johannesburg in January 2014 where the first author was further exposed to the art of writing scientific articles.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering Technology, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa

    J. A. Adeniran

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering Technology, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa

    R. Huberts

  3. Sustainable Energy Technology and Research Centre, SeTAR, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa

    J. J. De-Koker

  4. Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa

    O. A. Arotiba & O. F. Olorundare

  5. Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa

    E. Van-Zyl

  6. Metallurgy Department, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa

    S. C. Du-Plessis

Authors
  1. J. A. Adeniran
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  2. R. Huberts
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  3. J. J. De-Koker
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  4. O. A. Arotiba
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  5. O. F. Olorundare
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  6. E. Van-Zyl
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  7. S. C. Du-Plessis
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Correspondence to J. A. Adeniran.

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Adeniran, J.A., Huberts, R., De-Koker, J.J. et al. Energy generation from domestic wastewater using sandwich dual-chamber microbial fuel cell with mesh current collector cathode. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 13, 2209–2218 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-016-1050-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-016-1050-z

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