On the Effects of Ferricyanide as Cathodic Mediator on the Performance of Microbial Fuel Cells

Autor(es)

Penteado, Eduardo D. ; Maria Fernandez-Marchante, Carmen ; Zaiat, Marcelo ; Gonzalez, Ernesto Rafael ; Andres Rodrigo, Manuel

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: ELECTROCATALYSIS; v. 8, n. 1, p. 59-66, JAN 2017.
• Citações Web of Science: 8

Resumo

This study provides an insight into the long-term influence of the use of ferricyanide in the cathode chamber of a microbial fuel cell (MFC) on the power generated and the COD removal attained. Two MFCs were operated in semicontinuous mode, using winery wastewater as fuel, activated sludge as the anodic inoculum, and concentrations of 0.05 and 0.25 M of ferrocyanide added in the cathode chamber as redox mediators. The MFC used had two chambers separated by a proton exchange membrane SterionA (R). The results show that permeability of the membrane to mediators is a factor of the major significance. Under no crossover, the mediator produced a positive effect on the electricity generation and COD removal. However, as the experiments progressed, a significant concentration of mediator was detected in the anode chamber and the performance of the MFC gets worse. This work reports results that help to understand the main processes happening in the MFC. Crossover of ferrocyanide and ferricyanide to the anodic chamber reduces efficiency in the production of electricity The couple ferrocyanide/ferricyanide in the cathode chamber of an MFC can improve the performance in terms of COD removal and energy efficiency At low mediator concentration, a maximum in the power generation and COD removal can be attained At high mediator concentration, there was inhibition of biodegradation of winery wastewater. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 09/15984-0 - Produção de bioenergia no tratamento de águas residuárias e adequação ambiental dos efluentes e resíduos gerados
• Beneficiário: Marcelo Zaiat
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático
• Processo FAPESP: 14/07904-5 - Tratamento de água residuária de vinicultura em célula a combustível microbiana
• Beneficiário: Eduardo Dellosso Penteado
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Exterior - Estágio de Pesquisa - Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 11/23026-0 - Tratamento de águas residuárias em células a combustíveis microbianas e geração de energia elétrica direta: fundamentos e aplicação
• Beneficiário: Eduardo Dellosso Penteado
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado