Evaluation of microbial fuel cell coupled with aeration chamber and bio-cathode for organic matter and nitrogen removal from synthetic domestic wastewater.
For simultaneous carbon and nitrogen removal via single stream, a microbial fuel cell (MFC) coupled with an aeration chamber and a bio-cathode was investigated. Without catalysts and any additional buffer, the MFC produced electricity continuously and the power density reached 1.3 W/m3 at a loading rate of 1.6 kg COD/m3 d. Simultaneously, the COD and the nitrate removal rate were 1.4 kg COD/m3 d and 67 g NO3-N/m3 d, respectively. When the hydraulic retention time was changed from 6 to 0.75 hours, the power density significantly increased from 0.2 to 10.8 W/m3 due to an increase of cathodic potential. When the aeration chamber was removed and the nitrate was injected into the cathode, the power density increased to 3.7 W/m3. At a high recirculation rate of 10 ml/min, the power density and the nitrate removal rate greatly increased to 34 W/m3 and 294 g NO3--N/m3 d, respectively.
Cha
J
J
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 609-735, South Korea. jhwan2380@pnu.kr
Kim
C
C
Choi
S
S
Lee
G
G
Chen
G
G
Lee
T
T
D000388:Air; D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources / Q000382:microbiology*; D004560:Electricity; D004566:Electrodes; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D018508:Water Purification / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
D009930:Organic Chemicals; D014867:Water; D009584:Nitrogen; D010100:Oxygen