Power Generation Enhancement by Utilizing Plant Photosynthate in Microbial Fuel Cell Coupled Constructed Wetland System

Abstract

In the present study, a new technology that coupled constructed wetland (CW) with microbial fuel cell (MFC) (CW-MFC) was developed to convert solar energy into electricity on the principles of photosynthetic MFC by utilizing root exudates of Ipomoea aquatica as part of fuel. The maximum power density of 12.42 mW m −2 produced from the CW-MFC planted with Ipomoea aquatica was 142% higher than that of 5.13 mW m −2 obtained from the unplanted CW-MFC. The maximum power output for the planted CW-MFC could be divided into two parts: the maximum power yield from COD in the water body was 66.05 KJ Kg −1 COD , and the maximum power transformation from plant photosynthesis was 2.31 GJ ha −1 year −1. The average COD removal efficiencies were 92.1% and 94.8% in the unplanted CW-MFC and planted CW-MFC, respectively; the average TN removal efficiencies amounted to 54.4% and 90.8% in the unplanted CW-MFC and planted CW-MFC. This research demonstrates that planting Ipomoea aquatica in the CW-MFC achieved a higher power density and nutrient removal of nitrogen simultaneously.

Earthen Pot–Plant Microbial Fuel Cell Powered by Vetiver for Bioelectricity Production and Wastewater Treatment

“…One clump with two or three stems of vetiver with an average height of 25 cm was planted in each reactor at 6–6.5 cm depth. Glucose as a carbon source and several nutrients were supplemented in the form of synthetic wastewater . The nutrient medium was buffered at pH 7.4 with 50 mM phosphate buffer solution.…”

“…Three different scenarios have been observed in PMFCs so far, marshy grass operated PMFCs strictly for electricity generation; paddy PMFCs for biomass and bioelectricity generation; and macrophyte functioned constructed wetland microbial fuel cells (CW‐MFCs) for simultaneous electricity generation and pollutant removal from wastewater . In the former two, the anode region is firmly attached with the rhizosphere region of plant for harnessing fuel derived from rhizodeposition of the plant, while in the latter one, plant can be planted either at the anode or cathode chamber . Planting at the cathode is to augment reduction reactions by photosynthetic oxygen released from plants .…”

उपचार आर्द्रभूमियााँ

“…Figure 8.6 shows current available strategies for treatment wetlands operated as vertical flow MFC (adapted from Doherty et al, 2015) and Figure 8.6 (bottom), shows treatment wetlands operated under HF MFCs. Studies dealing with these aspects have only recently been published (Yadav et al, 2012;Fang et al, 2013;Liu et al, 2013;Zhao et al, 2013). The most common material for electrodes are graphite-based materials (either in the form of rods, granules or plates).…”

The effects of microbial fuel cell integration into constructed wetland on the performance of constructed wetland

“…The CW involves both aerobic and anaerobic processes during wastewater treatment. The typical microbial fuel cell (MFC) also needs two zones: (i) anaerobic zone for completing anodic reaction, and Liu et al, (2013) developed a into electricity on the principles of photosynthetic MFC by utilizing root exudates of Ipomoea aquatica as part of fuel. The maximum power density of 12.42 mW/m 2 produced from the CW-MFC planted with Ipomoea aquatica which was 142% higher than that of 5.13mW/m 2 obtained from the unplanted CW-MFC.…”