Name

Low energy input treatment of municipal and low strength industrial wastewaters with microbial fuel cell bioelectrochemical reactors

Speakers

Prof Richard Dinsdale

Authors

Richard Dinsdale, Rodrigo Fernandez Feito and Iain Michie, University of South Wales, UK

Description

The successful implementation of a microbial fuel cell (MFC) based sewage treatment process would offer a significant number of advantages when compared to conventional activated sludge treatment.  These advantages would include reduced energy usage, lower waste biomass production, no forced aeration utilised therefor requiring no or little subsequent off gas treatment for odour control and nitrous oxide reduction. We have recently scaled up a multi array microbial fuel cell treatment unit from 2 litres to 500 litres using low-cost electrode materials and with no membrane separator required whilst maintaining a high level of COD removal performance greater than 70%. The process module can be controlled using a maximum power point tracking algorithm to both maintain COD removal performance and whilst monitoring the biological activity of the process. If implemented widely this technology could see a significant reduction  in the greenhouse gas emissions of wastewater treatment processes.

Time

-

Location Name

Ludlow Concourse

Track

Posters