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Scalability of the multi-anode plug flow microbial fuel cell as a sustainable prospect for large-scale design

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  • Opoku, Prince Atta
  • Jingyu, Huang
  • Yi, Li
  • Ewusi-Mensah, David
  • Miwornunyuie, Nicholas

Abstract

Designing scalable and cost-effective microbial fuel cells for practical applications is a problem in wastewater treatment. The performance and scalability of the new multi-anode plug flow MFC (MAPF-MFC) with a shared cathode, in three different scales or anodic configurations (C1, C3, and C6) and at three different flow rates, Q (Q1: 15.33 mL/min, Q2: 46 mL/min, and Q3: 76.66 mL/min) were evaluated. The results revealed a consecutive increase in power density, energy recovery, organic removal rate, and a decrease in internal resistance scaling up. The MAPF-MFC configuration C6 (57.59 mW/cm2) produced 6.9-times and 27.9-times that of C3 and C1 in power density, and 1.6-times and 3.5-times in CE with 38.2%, that of C3 and C1, respectively. C6 (45.8 gCOD/L/day) was also 24.8-times and 48-times that of C3 and C1, and 1.5-times to 1.8-times higher in continuous current generation. C1, however, achieved 82% COD removal efficiency, 1.05-times and 1.3-times that of C3 and C6, respectively. A cost-benefit analysis of the configurations revealed a potential annual power output of $28,048.9/a by C6 and a 0.062 cost-benefit ratio. The study demonstrated the MAPF-MFC's capacity to significantly improve power production, energy recovery, and wastewater treatment while scaling up MFCs at a high economic potential.

Suggested Citation

  • Opoku, Prince Atta & Jingyu, Huang & Yi, Li & Ewusi-Mensah, David & Miwornunyuie, Nicholas, 2023. "Scalability of the multi-anode plug flow microbial fuel cell as a sustainable prospect for large-scale design," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C), pages 693-702.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:207:y:2023:i:c:p:693-702
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2023.03.018
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