[Performance of microbial fuel cells with Fe/C catalyst carbon felt air-cathode for treating landfill leachate]

Huan Jing Ke Xue. 2012 Jun;33(6):2125-30.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Ferric nitrate/activated carbon powder catalyst was obtained through impregnation and Fe/C catalyst was adsorbed on carbon felt as air cathode electrodes. Effects of activated carbon powder dosage and ferric nitrate concentration on electricity generation of MFC with landfill leachate as fuel were measured. Performances of cathodes obtained at different ferric nitrate concentrations were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry tests. The results showed that with the increase of activated carbon powder dosage or the iron nitrate concentration, MFC produce electrical properties showed a decreasing trend after the first rise. When the activated carbon powder dosage was 1 g and the iron nitrate concentration was 0.25 mol x L(-1), it was proved to be an optimum cell performance for 4199.8 mW x m(-3) output power and 465 omega apparent resistance. Under the optimal ratio rang between ferric nitrate and activated carbon powder, MFC apparent resistance decreased and the power density increased respectively with the increase of catalyst total dosage. The best produce electrical properties of MFC with Fe/C catalyst for 0.25 mol x L(-1) iron nitrate and 1 g activated carbon powder dosage was observed by cyclic voltammetry tests. The output power of MFC and the removal quantity increased with the concentration of inlet and the maximum values were respectively 5478.92 mW x m(-3) and 1505.2 mg x L(-1). the maximum removal rates of COD achieved at 89.1%.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Air
  • Bioelectric Energy Sources*
  • Carbon
  • Catalysis
  • Charcoal / chemistry*
  • Electrodes
  • Ferric Compounds / chemistry*
  • Nitrates / chemistry*
  • Refuse Disposal / methods*
  • Waste Disposal, Fluid / methods*

Substances

  • Ferric Compounds
  • Nitrates
  • Charcoal
  • Carbon
  • ferric nitrate