The influence of sludge retention time on mixed culture microbial fuel cell start-ups

作者：Mateo Sara; D'Angelo Adriana; Scialdone Onofrio; Canizares Pablo; Andres Rodrigo Manuel; Jesus Fernandez Morales Francisco

来源：Biochemical Engineering Journal, 2017, 123: 38-44.

DOI：10.1016/j.bej.2017.03.018

• Solid retention time
• Microbial fuel cell
• Air-cathode
• Acetate

In this work, the start-ups of air-cathode microbial fuel cells (MFCs) seeds with conventional activated sludge cultivated at different solid retention times (SRTs) are compared. A clear influence of the SRT of the inoculum was observed, corresponding to an SRT of 10 days to the higher current density exerted, about 0.2 Am-2. This observation points out that, in this type of electrochemical device, it is recommended to use high SRT seeds. The work also points out that in order to promote an efficient start-up, it is not only necessary to use high SRT seeds, but also to feed a high COD concentration. When feeding 10,000 ppm COD and keeping SRT of 10 d differences of current densities up to 0.1 Am-2 were observed within a cycle. Additionally it was observed that SRT influences direct and indirect electron transfer mechanisms, being the direct mechanisms the most relevant ones, accounting for more than 95% of the total electricity production.

• 出版日期2017-7-15