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Microalgae-Assisted Microbial Fuel Cell for Treatment of Difficult Waste Streams

Author

Listed:
  • Paulina Rusanowska

    (Department of Environment Engineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Warszawska 117, 10-720 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Marcin Dębowski

    (Department of Environment Engineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Warszawska 117, 10-720 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Marcin Zieliński

    (Department of Environment Engineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Warszawska 117, 10-720 Olsztyn, Poland)

Abstract

Microalgae microbial fuel cells (pMFCs) are distinguished by their ability to combine waste utilization with the simultaneous recovery of energy and valuable materials. The generation of high current density is linked to the efficient electron transfer to the anode via the anodic biofilm and the high photosynthetic activity of the microalgae cultivated in the cathode chamber. This review explores the impact of wastewater type on energy production and wastewater treatment. Additionally, it discusses the challenges related to microalgae growth in the cathode chamber, the necessity of aeration, and the sequestration of carbon dioxide from the anode chamber. The efficiency of microalgae in utilizing nutrients from various types of wastewater is also presented. In conclusion, the comparison between wastewater treatment and energy balance in pMFCs and conventional wastewater treatment plants is provided. On average, MFCs consume only 0.024 kW or 0.076 kWh/kg COD, which is approximately ten times less than the energy used by activated sludge bioprocesses. This demonstrates that MFCs offer highly efficient energy consumption compared to traditional wastewater treatment systems while simultaneously recovering energy through exoelectrogenic, bioelectrochemical processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Paulina Rusanowska & Marcin Dębowski & Marcin Zieliński, 2025. "Microalgae-Assisted Microbial Fuel Cell for Treatment of Difficult Waste Streams," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-19, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:4:p:963-:d:1593217
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jiayin Ling & Yanbin Xu & Chuansheng Lu & Weikang Lai & Guangyan Xie & Li Zheng & Manjunatha P. Talawar & Qingping Du & Gangyi Li, 2019. "Enhancing Stability of Microalgae Biocathode by a Partially Submerged Carbon Cloth Electrode for Bioenergy Production from Wastewater," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-14, August.
    2. Marcin Zieliński & Łukasz Barczak & Paulina Rusanowska & Joanna Kazimierowicz & Marcin Dębowski, 2024. "Comparison of Biohydrogen Production by Tetraselmis subcordiformis During Cultivation Using Soil-Less Agricultural Wastewater and Effluent from Microbial Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-15, October.
    3. Ahmed, Shams Forruque & Mofijur, M. & Islam, Nafisa & Parisa, Tahlil Ahmed & Rafa, Nazifa & Bokhari, Awais & Klemeš, Jiří Jaromír & Indra Mahlia, Teuku Meurah, 2022. "Insights into the development of microbial fuel cells for generating biohydrogen, bioelectricity, and treating wastewater," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(PA).
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    5. Marcin Zieliński & Paulina Rusanowska & Magda Dudek & Adam Starowicz & Łukasz Barczak & Marcin Dębowski, 2024. "Efficiency of Photosynthetic Microbial Fuel Cells (pMFC) Depending on the Type of Microorganisms Inhabiting the Cathode Chamber," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-14, May.
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