Authors
Abstract
Background: Today, production of energy from renewable sources such as biomass is now receiving serious attention to replace fossil fuels. Accordingly, the aim of this study was electricity production due to wastewater treatment.
Materials and Methods: The pilot of the air Cathode microbial fuel cell (MFC) was used at laboratory scale. The external resistance was determined about 1000 Ω using a polarization curve. The system was operated as batch mode. Voltage produced by the system in 25 and 50 mM phosphate buffer solution (PBS) was determined. Then the output power and current density was calculated. To determine the efficiency of the air cathode MFC in wastewater treatment, COD of wastewater (influent and effluent) was also measured.
Results: COD removal efficiencies of wastewater in both 25 and 50mM PBS were 90.86 ± 1.4 and 90.45 ± 0.48%, respectively. The maximum voltage, power and current density were 587mV, 830mW/m2 and 487mA/m2 in 25mM PBS and 596mV, 843mW/m2 and 502mA/m2 in 50mM PBS, respectively. Duration of the voltage produced in 50mM PBS was higher than 25mM PBS (2 times) due to higher resistance against decrease in pH value.
Conclusion: Air cathode microbial fuel cells in addition to compete with conventional systems such as activated sludge, in wastewater treatment, can produce energy simultaneously.
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