Influence of microbial fuel cell configuration in the generation of electricity from degradation of organic compounds

Author(s)

Lucas Ricardo Cardoso Marcon

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Carlos.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC/SBD)
• Defense date: 2015-05-08

Examining board members

Luiz Antonio Daniel; Tsunao Matsumoto; Alexandra Maria Pinheiro da Silva Ferreira Rodrigues Pinto; Fabrício Butierres Santana; Marcelo Zaiat

• Advisor: Luiz Antonio Daniel

Abstract

In this research were tested MFC with membranes and without membrane that aimed to reproduce the characteristics of sewage treatment systems. The experimental phase of this work was divided between Brazil (MFC membrane-less using sewage) and Portugal (MFC tests with traditional single and dual chamber, using synthetic wastewater and Lactobacillus pentosus bacteria). The performance in two different locations resulted in a further deepening and development of research. The MFC were evaluated primarily on the electric potential and efficiency of degradation of organic compounds (sewage and synthetic wastewater). For data obtained in Brazil, the three patterns showed greater difference in power as a function of the operating mode. The intermittent operation showed the highest power (11 mW/m2) for the MFC cylindrical upflow, while operation continues the increased power (4.2 mW/m2) was obtained for the rectangular horizontal flow CCM, which also had an easier maintenance as the electrodes (addition/removal). The upflow cubic MFC because of its simple design required a complementary system to increase the COD removal. Despite the low power measured for tests conducted in Brazil there to point out that they were obtained for reactors without membranes and using the sanitary sewer, which showed a high seasonality. To step held in Portugal, was possible fifteen different tests and more individual test growth. The higher power (10.37 mW/m2) was obtained for MFC dual chamber continuously operated for a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 20 hours. The greater potency obtained for the single chamber MFC was 5.53 mW/m2 when there was the addition of yeast extract (theoretical mediator function). The potency of MFC, most often been related to the proportion of total solids and volatile, VS/TS, the amount of bacteria, pH, operating characteristics, and finally the configuration of the MFC. The growth assay revealed the correlation power as a function of the quantity of bacterial biofilm mass inserted (VS) and shows up as a tool in assessing the potency of the MFC. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/23776-9 - INFLUENCE OF CONFIGURATION IN MICROBIAL FUEL CELL ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION FROM THE DECAY OF ORGANIC COMPOUND
• Grantee: Lucas Ricardo Cardoso Marcon
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate