Wastewater as anolyte for bioelectricity generation in graphite granule anode single chambered microbial fuel cell: effect of current collector

Single chambered microbial fuel cell (sMFC) could be used for wastewater treatment as well as to generate electricity. Bioelectrochemical treatment of synthetic acetate based wastewater with simultaneous power generation was studied in tubular type air cathode sMFC. In order to improve the efficacy of MFC, three different anodic systems were considered such as graphite granules with graphite rod as anodic current collector (GGR), graphite granules packed in stainless steel (SS-304) sock net as current collector (GGSN) and graphite plate (GP) as anode. Highest power densities of 1.59 W/m(3) and 2.03 W/m(3) at the maximum current density of 5.86 A/m(3) and 7.56 A/m(3) were obtained using GGR-sMFC and GGSN-sMFC, respectively. CE was found 36% higher in GGSN-sMFC as compared to GGR-sMFC. Exchange current density and Tafel constant of different anode materials were calculated. The present study revealed that current collector might play an important role in improving power generation and CE.