title: Effects of sulphate addition and sulphide inhibition on microbial fuel cells.
abstract: The effects of adding sulphate in: (i) standard activated sludge microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and (ii) larger-scale leachate-treating columns - both as individual units and as a system connected in cascade - are reported. S-replete power output was ∼2-fold higher than that of the S-deplete MFC. Furthermore, the effects of evolved sulphide (S(2-)) inhibition were investigated. The overall decrease in power output from the sulphide inhibitor (Na(2)MoO(4)) additions was 83% for the S-replete and 90% for the S-deplete. The second phase with the leachate treating units shows an improvement of 32-86% (depended on leachate strength) in current output as a result of adding sulphate. When leachate column MFCs were connected fluidically in series, the amount of Na(2)SO(4) made available downstream was decreasing (increase in power was 99%, 40% and 12% for columns in cascade). Results demonstrated the beneficial effects of added sulphur sources to both activated sludge and leachate-treating MFCs.
authors.affiliation: Bristol Robotics Laboratory, Environment and Technology Faculty, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK. ioannis.ieropoulos@brl.ac.uk
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ieropoulos
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gálvez
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Greenman
mesh_terms: D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D018533:Biomass; D003545:Cysteine / Q000378:metabolism; D004579:Electron Transport; D004867:Equipment Design; D017736:Ion-Selective Electrodes; D008982:Molybdenum / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012722:Sewage / Q000382:microbiology; D013431:Sulfates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013440:Sulfides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
chemical_list: D012722:Sewage; D013431:Sulfates; D013440:Sulfides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008982:Molybdenum; C024687:sodium molybdate(VI); D003545:Cysteine