Microbial fuel cells for direct electrical energy recovery from urban wastewaters.
Application of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) to wastewater treatment for direct recovery of electric energy appears to provide a potentially attractive alternative to traditional treatment processes, in an optic of costs reduction, and tapping of sustainable energy sources that characterizes current trends in technology. This work focuses on a laboratory-scale, air-cathode, and single-chamber MFC, with internal volume of 6.9 L, operating in batch mode. The MFC was fed with different types of substrates. This study evaluates the MFC behaviour, in terms of organic matter removal efficiency, which reached 86% (on average) with a hydraulic retention time of 150 hours. The MFC produced an average power density of 13.2 mW/m(3), with a Coulombic efficiency ranging from 0.8 to 1.9%. The amount of data collected allowed an accurate analysis of the repeatability of MFC electrochemical behaviour, with regards to both COD removal kinetics and electric energy production.
Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile e Architettura (D.I.C.Ar.), Università degli Studi di Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
A G
AG
Capodaglio
Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile e Architettura (D.I.C.Ar.), Università degli Studi di Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
D
D
Molognoni
Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale e dell'Informazione, Università degli Studi di Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
E
E
Dallago
Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale e dell'Informazione, Università degli Studi di Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
A
A
Liberale
Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "L. Spallanzani," Università degli Studi di Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
R
R
Cella
Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "L. Spallanzani," Università degli Studi di Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
P
P
Longoni
Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "L. Spallanzani," Università degli Studi di Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
L
L
Pantaleoni
D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques / Q000379:methods; D014506:Urban Renewal; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
D062065:Wastewater