Development of a single chamber microbial fuel cell for electricity generation from dairy wastewater

This study reports the fabrication of a novel single chamber microbial fuel cell (SCMFC) configuration for dairy wastewater treatment. The single chamber MFC with annular configuration and spiral anode geometry is suggested for future large-scale applications. There were two objectives in this study. First, a graphite coated stainless steel mesh anode as porous surface for biofilm growing were developed. Second, the power generation of the annular single chamber MFC (ASCMFC) with spiral anode geometry was compared to conventional air cathode MFCs to elucidate the effects of this configuration on MFC performance. MFC has been operated for 450 hr and results indicated high open circuit voltage (about 820 mV) compared with previously published results. A maximum power density of 20.2 W/m3 is achieved by ASCMFC. This power density is more than 18 fold of power densities in other MFCs. MFC performance as power generator was characterized based on polarization behavior and cell potentials.

کلیدواژه ها:

Single chamber microbial fuel cell ، Spiral anode ، Operating conditions ، Dairy wastewater