Effect of batch vs. continuous mode of operation on microbial desalination cell performance treating municipal wastewater

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Civil-Environmental Engineering, Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Iran

2 Babol Noshirvani University of Technology

Abstract

Microbial desalination cells (MDCs) have  great potential as a cost-effective and green technology for simultaneous water desalination, organic matter removal and energy production. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of a MDC under batch and continuous feeding conditions. Hence, power and current output, coulombic efficiency, electron harvest rate, desalination rate and COD removal were calculated during the operation. According  to the obtained results, the MDC performance exhibited some changes when the reactor switched from batch to continuous mode. The continuously operated MDC indicated a maximum power density of 15.9 W.m-3 and an average salt removal rate of 80%. In comparison, the batch MDC demonstrated the maximum power density and average salt removal rate of 13.9 W.m-3 and 68.1%, respectively. In addition, 83.7% of COD was removed in the continuously fed MDC at a hydraulic retention time of two days, which was 13.8% more than amount of COD removed in MDC under a two days batch process. The obtained results revealed that enrichment of anolyte under controlled continuous feeding conditions would relatively improve the MDC performance. 

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References

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Hydrogen, Fuel Cell & Energy Storage
Volume 3, Issue 4 - Serial Number 12
December 2016
Pages 281-290

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