An overview of recent advances in sediment microbial fuel cells for wastewater treatment and energy production

Abstract

In developing countries, the presence of wastewater is undesirable due to a costly investment for the treatment unit and energy-intensive for the operation. The wastewater treatment units in developing countries usually are not appropriately operated due to lacking operational cost. Therefore, it is not surprising if wastewater has never been considered a potential resource, even though it is rich in organics and nutrient substances. Biological treatment enables the conversion of wastewater into valuable products and energy. Sediment Microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) are emerging technologies envisaged as a feasible solution for simultaneous removal of carbonaceous compounds and generation of electricity. In SMFCs, power can be generated naturally by embedding an anode in the sediment and immersing the cathode in the water above the sediment. One of the most significant obstacles to upscaling and practical applications of the SMFCs appears to be the low-power output. The entire performance of an SMFC is determined by microorganisms, proper electrode materials, optimal SMFC designs, and process parameter optimization. This paper will discuss the recent progress of SMFC research related to its application in wastewater treatments and energy production. The advantages and obstacles of using SMFC in wastewater treatment are also presented.