Energy Generation and Iron Removal in Batch and Continuous Single-Chamber Microbial Fuel Cells

Energy generation was studied in a membraneless single-chamber microbial fuel cell (SCMFC) with batch and continuous systems, using iron(III) as electron acceptor at the cathode and Shewanella putrefaciens as the biocatalyst. A maximum stable voltage of 0.769 V was achieved at a maximum tolerable concentration (MTC) of 50 ppm Fe for the batch mode of operation. A metal removal efficiency of 91.1 % and a total organic carbon removal of 85.5 % were obtained at the MTC. Also, the effects of various hydraulic retention times (HRT) were tested for the continuous process. A maximum voltage of 0.81 V was observed during operation for 13 h of HRT, along with a substrate degradation of 91.8 % and an iron removal of 86.4 %.