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Abstract
A very compact flat microbial fuel cell (MFC), with 64 cm2 each for the anode surface and the cathode surface and 1 cm3 each for the anode and cathode chambers, was tested for wastewater treatment with simultaneous electricity production with the ultimate goal of implementing an autonomous service in decentralized wastewater treatment systems. The MFC was operated with municipal wastewater in sequencing batch reactor mode with re-circulation. Current densities up to 407 W/m3 and a carbon removal of 83% were obtained. Interruption in the operation slightly decreased power density, while the re-circulation ratio did not influence power generation. The anode biofilm presented high conductivity, activity and diversity. The denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis band-pattern of the DNA showed the presence of several ribotypes with different species of Shewanellaceae and Geobacteraceae families.
Acknowledgments
The authors are indebted to their colleagues at Frossos Wastewater Treatment Plant (Braga, Portugal) for providing wastewater samples. This work has been supported by the European Commission, through the Programme LIFE+ and the project WW4ENVIRONMENT (LIFE08 ENV/P/00237). The authors also acknowledge the Grant SFRH/BD/38331/2007 from the FCT/MCTES, Portugal, awarded to Luciana Peixoto.