Production of Electricity during Wastewater Treatment Using Fluidized-Bed Microbial Fuel Cells

A membrane‐free fluidized‐bed microbial fuel cell (FB‐MFC) was applied to investigate the effects of fluidization parameters on its electrogenesis capacity. Active carbon particles were found to significantly decrease the start‐up time and increase the output voltage of the FB‐MFC. The fluidization behavior of the active carbon particles in the FB‐MFC reactor is one of the key parameters that influence the generation of electricity. With the FB‐MFC operating under optimal conditions, maximum power density with minimal internal resistance of the MFC could be obtained. The FB‐MFC could be operated in large‐scale wastewater treatment processes with high chemical oxygen demand removal efficiencies. The ability to generate power with bacteria in wastewater makes microbial fuel cells (MFCs) promising alernatives in enhancing wastewater treatment processes. A fluidized‐bed MFC is employed to investigate the effects of fluidization parameters on the electrogenesis capacity. Active carbon particles can significantly reduce the start‐up time and increase the output voltage of the fuel cell.