title: Effect of ammonium and nitrate on current generation using dual-cathode microbial fuel cells.
abstract: These studies were conducted to determine the effects of various concentrations of ammonium and nitrate on current generation using dual-cathode microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Current generation was not affected by ammonium up to 51.8+/-0.0 mg/l, whereas 103.5+/-0.0 mg/l ammonium chloride reduced the current slightly. On the other hand, when 60.0+/-0.0 and 123.3+/-0.1 mg/l nitrate were supplied, the current was decreased from 10.23+/-0.07 mA to 3.20+/-0.24 and 0.20+/-0.01 mA, respectively. Nitrate did not seem to serve as a fuel for current generation in these studies. At this time, COD and nitrate removal were increased except at 123+/-0.1 mg NO(3)(-)/l. These results show that proper management of ammonium and nitrate is very important for increasing the current in a microbial fuel cell.
authors.affiliation: Energy and Environmental Engineering Division, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon 441-707, Korea. jkjang1052@korea.kr
authors.forename: Jae Kyung
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Jung Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Young Sun
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Ryou
authors.forename: Sung Hyoun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Eun Young
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources / Q000382:microbiology*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D004560:Electricity; D004566:Electrodes / Q000382:microbiology*; D009566:Nitrates / Q000378:metabolism*; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D009566:Nitrates; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds