Microbial Fuel Cell Architectures for a New Wastewater Treatment System

基于微生物燃料电池（MFC）技术的污水处理系统的微生物燃料电池结构。mfc将采用高表面积的石墨刷式阳极和管状阴极开发，mfc的模块将插入连续处理废水的罐式反应器中。研究人员的计算表明，这种与厌氧消化相结合的mfc可以回收废水处理厂54%的能源，如果不使用曝气，还可以节省4%的能源。该项目将重点关注与提高mfc废水处理效率和扩大规模有关的几个技术问题，包括优化电刷阳极负载。将进行实验，将阳极比表面积从9,600 m2/m3（电刷体积）减少到500 m2/m3，以确定阳极表面积限制发电的点。将测试石墨纤维的化学处理，以确定是否提高其发电效率和减少适应时间。此外，管状阴极材料将在其内阻方面进行检查，以及一系列离子交换材料（阳离子和阴离子）的性能将进行测试。这项研究的社会影响可能非常显著。如果能够开发基于mfc的污水处理厂，它们将节省大量的能源。这种工厂可能非常适合现场或分散处理废水，这有其他潜在的环境效益。该项目将支持培养两名研究生。

ABSTRACTCBET-0730359Bruce LoganPennsylvania State University Microbial fuel cell architectures for a new wastewater treatment systemThe goal of this project is to develop a wastewater treatment system based on microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology. MFCs would be developed using high surface-area graphite brush anodes and tubular cathodes, and modules of the MFCs would be inserted into tank reactors that continuously treat wastewater. Calculations by the investigator indicate that such MFCs linked with anaerobic digestion could recover 54% of the energy in a wastewater treatment plant and could save an additional 4% by not using aeration. This project will focus on several technical issues related to the improvement of efficiency and scale-up issues for MFC-based wastewater treatment, including optimization of brush anode loading. Experiments will be done to reduce anode specific surface areas from 9,600 m2/m3 (brush volume) to 500 m2/m3 to determine the point at which anode surface area limits power generation. Chemical treatment of graphite fibers will be tested to determine whether that enhances their efficiency for power generation and reduces acclimation times. In addition, tubular cathode materials will be examined in terms of their internal resistance, and a range of ion exchange materials (both cation and anion) will be tested for performance. The societal impacts of the research are potentially highly significant. If MFC-based wastewater treatment plants could be developed, they would save considerable amounts of energy. Such plants may be well suited for on-site or distributed treatment of wastewater, which has other potential environmental benefits. The project will support the training of two graduate students.