Concurrent Phosphorus Recovery and Energy Generation in Mediator-Less Dual Chamber Microbial Fuel Cells: Mechanisms and Influencing Factors

Abdullah Almatouq and Akintunde O. Babatunde
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Abdullah Almatouq: Hydro-Environment Research Centre, Energy and Environment Theme, Cardiff University School of Engineering, Queen’s Buildings, The Parade, Cardiff CF24 3AA, UK
Akintunde O. Babatunde: Hydro-Environment Research Centre, Energy and Environment Theme, Cardiff University School of Engineering, Queen’s Buildings, The Parade, Cardiff CF24 3AA, UK

IJERPH, 2016, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-12

Abstract: This study investigated the mechanism and key factors influencing concurrent phosphorus (P) recovery and energy generation in microbial fuel cells (MFC) during wastewater treatment. Using a mediator-less dual chamber microbial fuel cell operated for 120 days; P was shown to precipitate as struvite when ammonium and magnesium chloride solutions were added to the cathode chamber. Monitoring data for chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, oxidation reduction potential (ORP) and aeration flow rate showed that a maximum 38% P recovery was achieved; and this corresponds to 1.5 g/L, pH > 8, ?550 ± 10 mV and 50 mL/min respectively, for COD, pH cathode , ORP and cathode aeration flow rate. More importantly, COD and aeration flow rate were shown to be the key influencing factors for the P recovery and energy generation. Results further show that the maximum P recovery corresponds to 72 mW/m 2 power density. However, the energy generated at maximum P recovery was not the optimum; this shows that whilst P recovery and energy generation can be concurrently achieved in a microbial fuel cell, neither can be at the optimal value.

Keywords: bio-electrochemical system; phosphorus; phosphorus recovery; microbial fuel cell; struvite (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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