A microbial fuel cell–membrane bioreactor integrated system for cost-effective wastewater treatment

• Published in: Applied energy 2012-10, Vol.98, p.230-235
• Main Authors: Wang, Yong-Peng, Liu, Xian-Wei, Li, Wen-Wei, Li, Feng, Wang, Yun-Kun, Sheng, Guo-Ping, Zeng, Raymond J., Yu, Han-Qing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: aeration; Applied sciences; Bio-cathode; cost effectiveness; electricity; Energy; energy recovery; Exact sciences and technology; fuels; Low-cost; Membrane bioreactor (MBR); Microbial fuel cell (MFC); microbial fuel cells; oxygen; Wastewater treatment
• ISSN: 0306-2619; 1872-9118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2012.03.029

► An MFC–MBR integrated system for wastewater treatment and electricity generation. ► Stable electricity generation during 1000-h continuous operation. ► Low-cost electrode, separator and filter materials were adopted. Microbial fuel cell (MFC) and membrane bioreactor (MBR) are both promising technologies for wastewater treatment, but both with limitations. In this study, a novel MFC–MBR integrated system, which combines the advantages of the individual systems, was proposed for simultaneous wastewater treatment and energy recovery. The system favored a better utilization of the oxygen in the aeration tank of MBR by the MFC biocathode, and enabled a high effluent quality. Continuous and stable electricity generation, with the average current of 1.9±0.4mA, was achieved over a long period of about 40days. The maximum power density reached 6.0Wm−3. Moreover, low-cost materials were used for the reactor construction. This integrated system shows great promise for practical wastewater treatment application.