Simultaneous electricity production and Direct Red 80 degradation using a dual chamber microbial fuel cell.

AbstractMicrobial fuel cells (MFCs) are gaining tremendous interests for achieving simultaneous power production and recalcitrant wastewaters treatment. In this study, simultaneous electricity generation and tetra-azo dye (Direct Red 80) decolorization was examined in a dual chamber MFC. In addition, glucose and various volatile fatty acids were separately examined as co-substrates for anaerobic dye degradation and bioelectricity generation. Maximum power of 477.8 and 455.7 mW/m2 were attained with glucose (1,000 mg/L) as a sole carbon source and glucose (1,000 mg/L) coupled with dye (200 mg/L), respectively. At this glucose and dye initial concentration, 85.8% color and 74.9% COD removal were resulted in 48 h batch studies. Color removal without any co-substrate’s addition was 23%, indicating dye was degraded mainly in the presence of carbon sources. There was no substantial negative effect in electricity generation was observed with the dye degradation. Dye removal was decreased with the increase in dye...