Wastewater Treatment in Pilot-Scale Microbial Fuel Cell Using Multielectrode Assembly with Ceramic Separator Suitable for Field Applications

摘要

Performance of 45 L pilot scale microbial fuel cell (MFC) made from glass fiber-reinforced plastic and ceramic-separators (CS) with multiple electrode assembly was evaluated. Study on effect of external resistance (R_(ext)) varying from 100 to 3 Ω revealed that maximum power (P_(max)) of 14.28 mW (37.8 mA current) with chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of 84 ± 5.1% was observed at R_(ext) of 10 Ω. While evaluating influence of organic loading rate (OLR) from 0.75 to 8 g COD L~(-1)d~(-1), the MFC showed P_(max) of 17.63 mW (42 mA current) and COD removal of 69 ±5.1% at OLR of 4.5 g COD L~(-1) d~(-1). Internal resistance (R_(int)) of 12.4 Ω observed is among the least value reported in literature for larger MFCs. Simplicity in design, ease of fabrication, lower R_(int), longevity and low cost CS, which can withstand more hydraulic pressure than polymeric membranes, are the advantages that this MFC offers to make it suitable for field applications.