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17 pages, 4106 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Azo Dye Mineralization and Bioelectricity Generation through Biocathode-Microbial Fuel Cell Integration with Aerobic Bioreactor

by Kamran Ayaz, Ewa Zabłocka-Godlewska and Chao Li

Energies 2024, 17(19), 4896; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17194896 - 29 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1469

Abstract

This study explores the efficient decolorization and complete mineralization of the diazo dye Evans blue, using an integrated aerobic bioreactor system coupled with a double-chamber microbial fuel cell (DCMFC) including a bio-cathode and acetate as a cosubstrate. The research addresses the environmental challenges posed by dye-laden industrial effluents, focusing on achieving high decolorization efficiency and understanding the microbial communities involved. The study utilized mixed strains of actinomycetes, isolated from garden compost, to treat initial dye concentrations of 100 mg/L and 200 mg/L. Decolorization efficiency and microbial community composition were evaluated using 16S rRNA sequencing, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to assess anode and DCMFC resistance. The results demonstrated decolorization efficiencies ranging from 90 ± 2% to 98 ± 1.9% for 100 mg/L and from 79 ± 2% to 87% ± 1% for 200 mg/L. An anode resistance of 12.48 Ω indicated a well-developed biofilm and enhanced electron transfer. The microbial community analysis revealed a significant presence of Pseudomonadota (45.5% in dye-acclimated cultures and 32% in inoculum cultures), with key genera including Actinomarinicola (13.75%), Thermochromatium (4.82%), and Geobacter (4.52%). This study highlights the potential of the integrated DCMFC–aerobic system, utilizing mixed actinomycetes strains, for the effective treatment of industrial dye effluents, offering both environmental and bioenergy benefits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Technologies for Wastewater Treatment and Energy Production)

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15 pages, 1046 KiB

Open AccessReview

Role and Important Properties of a Membrane with Its Recent Advancement in a Microbial Fuel Cell

by Aritro Banerjee, Rajnish Kaur Calay and Fasil Ejigu Eregno

Energies 2022, 15(2), 444; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15020444 - 9 Jan 2022

Cited by 45 | Viewed by 4861

Abstract

Microbial fuel cells (MFC) are an emerging technology for wastewater treatment that utilizes the metabolism of microorganisms to generate electricity from the organic matter present in water directly. The principle of MFC is the same as hydrogen fuel cell and has three main components (i.e., anode, cathode, and proton exchange membrane). The membrane separates the anode and cathode chambers and keeps the anaerobic and aerobic conditions in the two chambers, respectively. This review paper describes the state-of-the-art membrane materials particularly suited for MFC and discusses the recent development to obtain robust, sustainable, and cost-effective membranes. Nafion 117, Flemion, and Hyflon are the typical commercially available membranes used in MFC. Use of non-fluorinated polymeric membrane materials such as sulfonated silicon dioxide (S-SiO2) in sulfonated polystyrene ethylene butylene polystyrene (SSEBS), sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK) and graphene oxide sulfonated polyether ether ketone (GO/SPEEK) membranes showed promising output and proved to be an alternative material to Nafion 117. There are many challenges to selecting a suitable membrane for a scaled-up MFC system so that the technology become technically and economically viable. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Energy Materials and Clean Energy Technologies)

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11 pages, 2509 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Scaling up Microbial Fuel Cells for Treating Swine Wastewater

by Yuko Goto and Naoko Yoshida

Water 2019, 11(9), 1803; https://doi.org/10.3390/w11091803 - 29 Aug 2019

Cited by 47 | Viewed by 6703

Abstract

Conventional aerobic treatment of swine wastewater, which generally contains 4500–8200 mg L⁻¹ of organic matter, is energy-consuming. The aim of this study was to assess the application of scaled-up microbial fuel cells (MFCs) with different capacities (i.e., 1.5 L, 12 L, and 100 L) for removing organic matter from swine wastewater. The MFCs were single-chambered, consisting of an anode of microbially reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and an air-cathode of platinum-coated carbon cloth. The MFCs were polarized via an external resistance of 3–10 Ω for 40 days for the 1.5 L-MFC and 120 days for the 12L- and 100 L-MFC. The MFCs were operated in continuous flow mode (hydraulic retention time: 3–5 days). The 100 L-MFC achieved an average chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency of 52%, which corresponded to a COD removal rate of 530 mg L⁻¹ d⁻¹. Moreover, the 100 L-MFC showed an average and maximum electricity generation of 0.6 and 2.2 Wh m⁻³, respectively. Our findings suggest that MFCs can effectively be used for swine wastewater treatment coupled with the simultaneous generation of electricity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Water and Wastewater Monitoring and Treatment Technology)

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