Simultaneous organics removal and bio-electrochemical denitrification in microbial fuel cells

Bioprocess Biosyst Eng. 2008 Jun;31(4):315-21. doi: 10.1007/s00449-007-0164-6. Epub 2007 Oct 2.

Abstract

Simultaneous organics removal and bio-electrochemical denitrification using a microbial fuel cell (MFC) reactor were investigated in this study. The electrons produced as a result of the microbial oxidation of glucose in the anodic chamber were transferred to the anode, which then flowed to the cathode in the cathodic chamber through a wire, where microorganisms used the transferred electrons to reduce the nitrate. The highest power output obtained on the MFCs was 1.7 mW/m(2) at a current density of 15 mA/m(2). The maximum volumetric nitrate removal rate was 0.084 mg NO(3)(-)-N cm(-2) (electrode surface area) day(-1). The coulombic efficiency was about 7%, which demonstrated that a substantial fraction of substrate was lost without current generation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Bioelectric Energy Sources / microbiology*
  • Electrochemistry / instrumentation*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Nitrites / metabolism*
  • Organic Chemicals / isolation & purification*
  • Organic Chemicals / metabolism*

Substances

  • Nitrites
  • Organic Chemicals