Impact of Inoculum Type on the Microbial Community and Power Performance of Urine-Fed Microbial Fuel Cells

Abstract

Bacteria are the driving force of the microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology, which benefits from their natural ability to degrade organic matter and generate electricity. The development of an efficient anodic biofilm has a significant impact on the power performance of this technology so it is essential to understand the effects of the inoculum nature on the anodic bacterial diversity and establish its relationship with the power performance of the system. Thus, this work aims at analysing the impact of 3 different types of inoculum: (i) stored urine, (ii) sludge and (iii) effluent from a working MFC, on the microbial community of the anodic biofilm and therefore on the power performance of urine-fed ceramic MFCs. The results showed that MFCs inoculated with sludge outperformed the rest and reached a maximum power output of 40.38 mW·m−2anode (1.21 mW). The power performance of these systems increased over time whereas the power output by MFCs inoculated either with stored urine or effluent decreased after day 30. These results are directly related to the establishment and adaptation of the microbial community on the anode during the assay. Results showed the direct relationship between the bacterial community composition, originating from the different inocula, and power generation within the MFCs.

Microbial fuel cell performance for aromatic hydrocarbon bioremediation and common effluent treatment plant wastewater treatment with bioelectricity generation through series-parallel connection

“…2020; Salar‐Garcia et al . 2020). MFC systems with inlet and outlet samples were also able to reduce COD and BOD 37–47% with consortium as biocatalyst.…”

Desarrollo de un sistema bioelectroquímico empleado para el crecimiento de Stevia rebaudiana

“…Este rendimiento se obtuvo con 100% de humedad. Por otro lado, en un estudio previo en MFC inoculadas con orina humana y en operación por 90 días se reportó una densidad de potencia máxima de 29.64 ± 2.3 mW m -2 (Salar-García et al, 2020). Este resultado fue de 30.73% siendo menor al compararse con lo obtenido en nuestro estudio.…”

Biohydrogen Production in Microbial Electrolysis Cells Utilizing Organic Residue Feedstock: A Review

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