title: Full-loop operation and cathodic acidification of a microbial fuel cell operated on domestic wastewater.
abstract: The present study emphasizes the importance of overcoming proton limitation in a microbial fuel cell operated on domestic wastewater. When the anode-treated effluent was allowed to trickle into the cathodic compartment (full-loop operation), high COD and suspended solids removal efficiencies over 75% and 84%, respectively, were achieved while ensuring substantial and sustainable power generation. Lower removal efficiencies resulted in decreased cell electromotive force caused by excess substrate crossover. By decreasing the pH in the cathodic compartment to values below 2, we were able to further increase the maximum power generation by 180% in batch mode and 380% in continuous mode as compared to a negative control (tap water of pH 7.6). Under the optimized conditions, the internal resistance and electromotive force were 11Ω and 0.6 V, respectively, which correspond to the state of the art.
authors: Centre for Water Research, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Dr. 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore.
authors: Olivier
authors: O
authors: Lefebvre
authors: Yujia
authors: Y
authors: Shen
authors: Zi
authors: Z
authors: Tan
authors: Arnaud
authors: A
authors: Uzabiaga
authors: In Seop
authors: IS
authors: Chang
authors: How Yong
authors: HY
authors: Ng
mesh_terms: D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D004566:Electrodes; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007220:Industrial Waste; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical