Design of microbial fuel cells for practical application: a review and analysis of scale-up studies

Abstract

There has been substantial progress towards scale-up and practical application of microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology in the last decade. Studies regarding this progress have been reported ranging from 1 to 1000 l, consisting of short-term laboratory-scale experiments, to long-term in situ pilot-scale investigations. Despite this fact, a successful demonstration has yet to be shown. This suggests that advances made at the milliliter-scale have not been translated, or are not transferrable, to larger scales, implying a lack of understanding on how to progress from the milliliter-scale to larger scales. This review compiles 18 separate studies, the majority of scale-up efforts (liter-scale and greater) to date, thoroughly reviewing and analyzing aspects of design in relation to performance and the potential for success. Key factors affecting the MFC performance are highlighted. A future perspective on scaling-up MFCs for practical wastewater treatment is also provided.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors would like to acknowledge support from the US National Science Foundation (Chemical, Biological, Environmental, and Transport Systems 0955124, Partnerships for Innovation 1312301; VA, USA) and Oregon Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies Center (OR, USA). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.