Domestic wastewater treatment and power generation in continuous flow air-cathode stacked microbial fuel cell: Effect of series and parallel configuration

In this study, a continuous flow stack consisting of 40 individual air-cathode MFC units was used to determine the performance of stacked MFC during domestic wastewater treatment operated with unconnected individual MFC and in series and parallel configuration. The voltages obtained from individual MFC units were of 0.08–1.1 V at open circuit voltage, while in series connection, the maximum power and current density were 2500 mW/m2 and 500 mA/m2 (4.9 V), respectively. In parallel connection, the maximum power and current density was 5.8 mW/m2 and 24 mA/m2, respectively. When the cells were not connected to each other MFC unit, the main bacterial species found in the anode biofilms were Bacillus and Lysinibacillus. After switching from unconnected to series and parallel connections, the most abundant species in the stacked MFC were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, followed by different Bacilli classes. This study demonstrated that when the stacked MFC was switched from unconnected to series and parallel connections, the pollutants removal, performance electricity and microbial community changed significantly. Voltages drops were observed in the stacked MFC, which was mainly limited by the cathodes. These voltages loss indicated high resistances within the stacked MFC, generating a parasitic cross current. •High COD and NH4-N removals were obtained in series connection.•The best performance electricity of the stacked MFC was obtained in series connections.•Microbial communities were identified in a stacked MFC in different connections.•Pseudomonas putida and Bacillus spp. were the dominant species.•Voltage losses were observed in the stacked MFC.