Continuous determination of biochemical oxygen demand using microbial fuel cell type biosensor.
A mediator-less microbial fuel cell (MFC) was used as a biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) sensor in an amperometric mode for real-time wastewater monitoring. At a hydraulic retention time of 1.05 h, BOD values of up to 100 mg/l were measured based on a linear relationship, while higher BOD values were measured using a lower feeding rate. About 60 min was required to reach a new steady-state current after the MFCs had been fed with different strength artificial wastewaters (Aws). The current generated from the MFCs fed with AW with a BOD of 100 mg/l was compared to determine the repeatability, and the difference was less than 10%. When the MFC was starved, the original current value was regained with a varying recovery time depending on the length of the starvation. During starvation, the MFC generated a background level current, probably due to an endogenous metabolism.
Chang
In Seop
IS
Water Environment & Remediation Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 39-1, Hawolgok-dong, Sungpook-ku, Seoul 136-791, South Korea.
Jang
Jae Kyung
JK
Gil
Geun Cheol
GC
Kim
Mia
M
Kim
Hyung Joo
HJ
Cho
Byung Won
BW
Kim
Byung Hong
BH
D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources / Q000382:microbiology*; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis
D014873:Water Pollutants; D010100:Oxygen