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This study investigates heterotrophic anodic denitrification in a two-chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC) to evaluate whether nitrate removal can be coupled with electricity generation. Using synthetic wastewater with glucose and fructose as substrates, the authors exposed the anode to nitrate concentrations from 0–15 ppm and measured current density, COD removal, denitrification rate, and Coulombic efficiency. Results show that nitrate concentrations ≤4 ppm do not impair electricity production, while higher concentrations reduce current density and inhibit non-electrogenic anaerobic side reactions.

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What they did

System
MFC

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Abstract

Nowadays, pollution caused by energy production systems is a major environmental concern. Therefore, the development of sustainable energy sources is required. Amongst others, the microbial fuel cell (MFC) seems to be a possible solution because it can produce clean energy at the same time that waste is stabilized. Unfortunately, mainly due to industrial discharges, the wastes could contain nitrates, or nitrates precursors such ammonia, which could lead to lower performance in terms of electricity production. In this work, the feasibility of coupling anodic denitrification process with electricity production in MFC and the effect of the nitrates over the MFC performance were studied. During the experiments, it was observed that the culture developed in the anodic chamber of the MFC presented a significant amount of denitrificative microorganisms. The MFC developed was able to denitrify up to 4 ppm, without affecting the current density exerted, of about 1 mA/cm². Regarding the denitrification process, it must be highlighted that the maximum denitrification rate achieved with the culture was about 60 mg·NO3−·L−1·h−1. Based on these results, it can be stated that it is possible to remove nitrates and to produce energy, without negatively affecting the electrical performance, when the nitrate concentration is low.

Keywords

Microbial fuel cellDenitrificationNitrateHeterotrophAnodeEnvironmental engineering

Identifiers

DOI
10.3390/su8060561
Journal
Sustainability
Year
2016