Effect of Anodic Metabolic Function on Bioelectricity Generation and Substrate Degradation in Single Chambered Microbial Fuel Cell

Abstract

Influence of anodic metabolic function viz., aerobic, anoxic and anaerobic on bioelectricity generation was evaluated in single chamber mediatorless microbial fuel cells (non-catalyzed graphite electrodes; open-air cathode) during wastewater treatment under similar operating conditions (pH 7; ambient temperature/pressure). Despite the fluctuations observed, aerobic metabolic function (379 mV; 538 mA/m2) documented higher power generation compared to anoxic (251 mV; 348 mA/m2) and anaerobic (265 mV; 211 mA/m2) operations. Relatively higher treatment efficiency was also evidenced in aerobic operation (COD removal efficiency; 77.68% (aerobic), 56.84% (anoxic), 48.68% (anaerobic)). Polarization behavior, bioelectrochemical analysis, sustainable resistance and cell potentials also supported the aerobic operation. Aerobic metabolic function showed potential to generate higher power and substrate degradation over the corresponding anoxic and anaerobic metabolic functions. The relative efficiency of power generation observed in aerobic microenvironment might be attributed to effective substrate oxidation and good biofilm growth observed on the anodic surface. Presence of lower dissolved oxygen concentration in anodic chamber due to the establishment of equilibrium between substrate oxidation and oxygen scavenging might also contributes positively to power generation in aerobic operation.

Properties and Function of Pyomelanin

“…17). Current production in microaerobic environments exceeds that of strict anaerobic conditions and could be a result of production of electron shuttles under microaerobic conditions (Mohan, et al 2008). This could explain why the biofilm of the pyomelanin hyper producer was thicker at the medium surface but the pyomelanin deficient strain had consistent biofilm thickness along the working electrode.…”

Photosynthetic microbial fuel cells with positive light response

“…MFCs harvest energy from oxidation of organic compounds including those present in wastewaters. The majority of MFCs operate under anaerobic conditions, though a few aerobic MFCs have been developed recently (Biffinger et al, 2008;Mohan et al, 2008). Considering that sunlight offers an unlimited source of energy, development of self-sustainable microbial fuel cells that rely on light instead of organics as an energy source has become an increasingly popular area of research in recent years (Cao et al, 2008;He et al, 2009;Malik et al, 2009).…”

Performance of Cathode Catalysts for Bio-Electricity from Paper Recycling, Wastewater-Fed, Microbial Fuel Cells

“…The electrochemical activity was enhanced by the hybrid bacterial attachment over the electrode 36 . COD removal efficiency increased with increase in initial concentration 37 . It can also be observed that COD removal too was higher for FePc/MWCNT than other electrodes.…”