Performance assessment of a four-air cathode membraneless microbial fuel cell stack for wastewater treatment and energy extraction

¹ School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Heroon Polytechniou 9, 15780, Zografou Athens, Greece
² General Department, School of Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 34400 Psachna Campus, Evia, Greece
³ Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences (ICE-HT), Stadiou Str., Platani, 26504, Patras, Greece

^* Corresponding author: atremouli@chemeng.ntua.gr

Abstract

A stack of two identical single chamber microbial fuel cells (MFCs) was assessed during using fermentable house hold extract as substrate. The design of the MFC units was based on the single chamber membrane-less technology using four cathode electrodes. The total power output was 492 mW either in series or parallel connection considering a total anolyte volume of 240 cm³. During continuous operation, the COD removal was 80% for each cell and for both operation modes (series and parallel). The electrochemical profiles provided significant information on the behaviour of the stack. During continuous operation, parallel connection is preferred over series connection, as it results to the same power output values, and COD removal but it provides lower internal resistances leading to more stable electrochemical performance behaviour.