Effect of Corncob Derived Biochar on Microbial Electroremediation of Dye Wastewater and Bioenergy Generation

Abstract

This paper describes the potential of waste biomass derived biochar for improvement in the dye wastewater treatment in a microbial fuel cell (MFC). The complete MFC, an energy generating unit, was made with the waste products in order to demonstrate that low cost alternatives are available to replicate the positive results. Waste corncob derived biochar produced after acid modification has been evaluated as a supplement in an MFC for treatment of real dye wastewater (RDW). The two doses of sulfuric acid modified corncob biochar (SA‐MCB), (0.5 g and 1 g) and a blank (without any dose) were assessed for the effect on MFC performance. The maximum power density (49.92 W/m2), current density (0.28 A/m2), COD removal efficiency (88.39%), decolorization efficiency (81.6%) and TDS reduction (84.4%) were obtained with 0.5 g biochar dose. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed the structural changes occurring on the SA‐MCB after use in the MFC. The SEM analysis revealed the better biofilm formation due to SA‐MCB deposition. Power density with 0.5 g of SA‐MCB dose improved to more than 24 times in comparison to the system without any such dose. The UV spectrophotometer analysis confirmed the azo bond deformation during treatment. The overall results suggest that the use of SA‐MCB biochar as anode material and as a supplement in the MFC system may provide an effective anode‐biofilm in MFCs for wastewater treatment.

Ultrasonic pre-treatment of Bacillus velezensis for improved electrogenic response in a single chambered microbial fuel cell

“…The current and power densities were divided by the predicted anode surface area to get the current and power densities. All MFC tests were carried out in triplicate, and average data were given (Sonu et al 2020).…”

Integrated Constructed Wetland‐Microbial Fuel Cell using Biochar as Wetland Matrix: Influence on Power Generation and Textile Wastewater Treatment

“…Besides adsorption, mechanisms like oxidation, precipitation and anaerobic digestion cumulatively help in overall COD reduction and pollutant removal [11–14] . Moreover, availability of the high surface area due to the presence of biochar may be a key factor to facilitate overall pollutant degradation and removal by way of enhanced biofilm formation besides improved adsorption of pollutants [7] …”

“…Extensive studies in past have been done for evaluating the efficiency of different wastewater treatment technologies which depend upon chemical, physical adsorption and biological degradation methods for the decolorization of azo dyes [4–6] . Coagulation‐flocculation methods have also been widely used for removal of dyes [7,8] . These methods, however, require enormous quantities of chemicals and generate sludge as a by‐product, thus requiring additional collection and disposal.…”

Performance evaluation of Tagetes erecta plant microbial fuel cell using the composite ceramic anode of rice‐husk, mild‐steel dust, and soil

“…In addition, the PMFC has the potential to expand into many wetlands and plains that are not suitable for agricultural production, and therefore, these can be converted into a power plant. Urban areas suffer from green coverage due to the rapid rate of development and expansion, which ends in poor air quality [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. Thus, the diversity of vegetation that grows in urban areas, especially indoor and rooftop areas, can be a source of stagnant energy from PMFCs, generating living electricity and conserving our environment [18][19][20].…”