The integrated processes for wastewater treatment based on the principle of microbial fuel cells: A review

abstract

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology offers the dual advantages of wastewater treatment and electricity generation. Research efforts have been made to improve its power output. However, MFC seems limited at pilot scale and power outputs appear to have plateaued. As such, some integrated technologies have emerged based on MFC. These hybrid technologies have the larger potential for scaling up and practical application compared with the pure MFC. Therefore, in their review the authors present these emerged technologies and discuss the development tendency and the challenges. The review can hopefully provide a framework to identify priorities for further research on this area.

KEYWORDS:

• microbial fuel cell
• integrated process
• wastewater treatment
• review

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the editor and the anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments to improve the quality of this review.

Funding

Mr. Xu acknowledges the scholarship support from China Scholarship Council. This study was financially supported in part by the “2011 Project for Cooperation & Innovation” under the Jurisdiction of Beijing Municipality.