The separation of a phenol-degradable bacterium and its application on coke wastewater treatment by using microbial fuel cell technology

Abstract

Abstract. Phenol is the major organic compound of coking wastewater. It is of biochemical toxicity, difficult processing, difficulty to be degraded and high cost in the treatments. Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a new type of fuel cell. It can produce electron in the process of metabolism of electricigens and export it to the external circuit. In this study, a phenol-degradable bacterium was separated and purified ( Pseudomonas sp.) at first. Then, a dual chamber type of MFC was established and phenol was selected as fuel. Afterward, we optimized the operation condition. Then, based on the character of coking wastewater, different types and concentrations of metal ions which were existed were added to research the influences of metal ion on the characteristics of electricity generation of MFC. This study showed that the strain can utilize phenol as sole carbon source, and can degrade over 98 % of phenol (1000 mg·L -1 ) within 72 h. Meanwhile, it has higher phenol tolerance up to 1750 mg·L -1 . The optimal condition is pH value of 8.0. Furthermore, Fe 3+ accelerated the electron generation and phenol decomposition, while Cu 2+ and Mn 2+ inhibited them. Additionally, as a type of surface active agent, Tween -80 influenced the best concentration is 100 mg/(L·d). Finally, sodium alginate was used as immobilized reagent and it can accelerate electricity production capacity.