Evaluating the performance of coupled MFC-MEC with graphite felt/MWCNTs polyscale electrode in landfill leachate treatment, and bioelectricity and biogas production

Abstract

Purpose A bioelectricity producing system was configured by connecting to a microbial electrolysis cell producing hydrogen, in which both systems were without mediator, to treatment the landfill leachate of the and generate bioelectricity and hydrogen. Methods The anode electrode was made with MWCNTs polyscale coating on graphite felt and the cathode electrode with activated carbon coating on carbon cloth. In the MFC-MEC coupled system, the electrodes were connected in series using copper wire. The system was set up in a fed-batch mode and the landfill synthetic leachate was injected into the anode MFC-MEC chamber as fuel. ResultsIn MFC, the highest voltage, current density and power density were 1114 mV, 44.2A/m 3 and 49.24 W/m 3 , respectively. The maximum of the coulombic efficiency system was 94.10%. The highest removed COD, NH 4 -N and P was 97.38%, 79.56% and 74.61%, respectively. In the MEC, the maximum of voltage input, current density and power density was 1106 mV, 43.88 A/m 3 and 48.54 W/m 3 , respectively. The maximum coulombic efficiency system was 125.54%. Also the highest removed COD, NH 4 -N and P was 97.46%, 78.81% and 76.25%, respectively. The highest biogas production rate and its yield were 39 mL/L.d, and 0.0118 L/g CODrem, respectively. Conclusion This study found that the MFC-MEC coupled system had promising potential for strong wastewaters treatment, such as the leachate of landfill; and the in-site use of generated electricity and the production of useful fuels such as biogas.

Treatment of vegetable oil industry wastewater and bioelectricity generation using microbial fuel cell via modification and surface area expansion of electrodes

“…The anode chamber was anaerobic and, to sustain this condition, every time the anodic chamber was emptied and refilled to start a new test, nitrogen gas was injected into it for 20 min. In the first stage, the MFCs were injected with anaerobic digestion sludge taken from the wastewater treatment plant of Kerman city and pre‐treated according to the procedure in previous report, 20 as the microbial seed and culture media (1:10 v/v), to allow a biofilm to form over the anode surface.…”

“…Then, the filtrate was washed with deionized water until pH 5.5-6.5 and dried at 80°C for 12 h in the oven to give multi-walled carbon nanotubes carboxylate (MWCNT-COOH). 20 In the first step, the MWCNT-COOH/Al 2 O 3 composites were made as follows. Initially, 1 g MWCNTs were dispersed into 50 mL deionized water and magnetically agitated for 6 h. Then, 5 g aluminum nitrate (obtained from Sigma-Aldrich) was properly dissolved in 50 mL of deionized water.…”

An overview of microbial electrolysis cell configuration: Challenges and prospects on biohydrogen production

“…It reaches its maximum biogas output (39 mL/L/d) and produces electricity (49.24 W/ m 3 ). 121 A MEC-MFC coupled system that produces hydrogen with acetate as a substrate, with an MFC providing additional power has been demonstrated. 122 The hydrogen generation rate is significantly increased when MFCs are connected in series and it decreased when the MFCs are connected in parallel.…”

“…Using multi‐walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) coating on graphite plate and AC on CC, and integrating the MFC and MEC, gives prospects for hydrogen and energy generation. It reaches its maximum biogas output (39 mL/L/d) and produces electricity (49.24 W/m 3 ) 121 . A MEC‐MFC coupled system that produces hydrogen with acetate as a substrate, with an MFC providing additional power has been demonstrated 122 .…”

Efficiency of Carbon-Based Electrodes on a Microbial Electrolysis System for the Treatment of Bilge Water

“…Thus, carbon-based materials like carbon cloth, carbon felt, graphite particles and others are often used instead due to their satisfactory stability in the microbial inoculum, great electrical conductivity and low toxicity (Mier et al, 2021). Unfortunately, simple carbon materials present poor biocompatibility and poor electrocatalytic activity and, for this reason often are modified to improve their performance (Mansoorian et al, 2020). Up to now, there are no data available regarding the application of carbon-based electrodes same or similar to those used in the study on the treatment of real BW by MEC coupled with AGS.…”