Long-term operation of double chambered microbial fuel cell for bio-electro denitrification

• Published in: Bioprocess and biosystems engineering 2016-06, Vol.39 (6), p.893-900
• Main Authors: Oon, Yoong-Sin, Ong, Soon-An, Ho, Li-Ngee, Wong, Yee-Shian, Oon, Yoong-Ling, Lehl, Harvinder Kaur, Thung, Wei-Eng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bioelectric Energy Sources; Bioengineering; Biotechnology; Chemical oxygen demand; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Denitrification; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Food Science; Fuel cells; Industrial and Production Engineering; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Microorganisms; Nitrate reduction; Nutrient removal; Organic loading; Original Paper; Oxidation; Waste Water; Water Purification
• ISSN: 1615-7591; 1615-7605
• DOI: 10.1007/s00449-016-1568-y

The main aim of this study is to investigate the performance of organic oxidation and denitrification of the system under long-term operation. The MFC reactor was operated in continuous mode for 180 days. Nitrate was successfully demonstrated as terminal electron acceptor, where nitrate was reduced at the cathode using electron provided by acetate oxidation at the anode. The removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and nitrate were higher in the closed circuit system than in open circuit system. Both COD and nitrate reduction improved with the increase of organic loading and subsequently contributed to higher power output. The maximum nitrate removal efficiency was 88 ± 4 % (influent of 141 ± 14 mg/L). The internal resistant was 50 Ω, which was found to be low for a double chambered MFC. The maximum power density was 669 mW/m 3 with current density of 3487 mA/m 3 .