Effect of organic loading on bioelectricity generation potential of dual‐chambered microbial fuel cell treating chocolaterie wastewater

Abstract

Microbial fuel cells (MFC) are recent advancements in treating wastewater and generating power simultaneously. In the present study, chocolaterie wastewater rich in organic content was the substrate in a dual‐chambered MFC. Activated Carbon Fiber Felt (ACFF) electrodes (anode and cathode) were separated by Nafion 117 proton exchange membrane in the dual‐chambered reactor. The primary goal was to investigate the impact of organic loading on MFC efficiency in treating chocolaterie wastewater and carrying out microbial analysis. 1, 2, 3, and 4 gCOD/L were the organic loadings of the reactor. MFC performance increased till the optimum value, and after that, it declined. A total of 2 gCOD/L was the optimum organic loading. At this optimum organic loading, dual‐chambered MFC removed 79% of total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD), 70% of soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD), and 67% of total suspended solids (TSS). At 2 gCOD/L organic loading, the maximum power density was 99 mW/m2. Coulombic efficiency was 58% at 1 gCOD/L and 30% at 2 gCOD/L organic loadings. Microbial analysis revealed the presence of Ochrobactrum and Pseudomonas sp. as dominant exoelectrogens in the anodic biofilm. These species were proven for the contaminant degradation efficiency and potential for power generation. Hence dual‐chambered MFCs can treat high‐strength chocolaterie wastewaters efficiently at optimum operating conditions.

Sorting Out the Latest Advances in Separators and Pilot-Scale Microbial Electrochemical Systems for Wastewater Treatment: Concomitant Development, Practical Application, and Future Perspective

“…Recently developed pilot-scale MFCs have demonstrated good performance in terms of long-term stability and sustainability, and a series of effective strategies have been identified to support the operation of MFCs. In the reported cases, most MFCs have been operated for more than a year and have shown relatively stable performance (Table 2), and many studies have reported on the stability and performance response of MFC devices to parameter changes over long periods of operation, including seasonal shifts, 44 water quality fluctuations, 131 temperature variations, 132 pH value swings, 133,134 and load changes. 80,135 In addition, numerous strategies have also been developed to improve efficiency and stability during long-term operation.…”

“…Recently developed pilot-scale MFCs have demonstrated good performance in terms of long-term stability and sustainability, and a series of effective strategies have been identified to support the operation of MFCs. In the reported cases, most MFCs have been operated for more than a year and have shown relatively stable performance (Table ), and many studies have reported on the stability and performance response of MFC devices to parameter changes over long periods of operation, including seasonal shifts, water quality fluctuations, temperature variations, pH value swings, , and load changes. , In addition, numerous strategies have also been developed to improve efficiency and stability during long-term operation. For example, a variety of strategies, such as antimicrobial component modification, electrode structural modulation, and in situ artificial removal, were used to eliminate biofouling for cathode sustainability. − The maximum power point tracking system, serial or parallel connection, and dc–dc booster circuit are designed to achieve a high energy conversion efficiency .…”