Removal of metals (chromium and copper) and power generation through sediment microbial fuel cell

Abstract:

A sediment microbial fuel cell (SMFC) is a type of microbial fuel cell (MFC) that has
recently attracted significantly attentions due to its unique property of removing organic and
inorganic compounds from sediments. In this study, different parameters were optimized for
the performance of SMFC. The chromium and copper were detected in the sediment
samples. The experiments were carried out in a dual-chamber SMFC under ranges of pH, 17
temperature 0-80°C and external resistance 10-100 Ω. At pH 2, temperature 37°C and 10 Ω external resistance the removal of chromium and copper were about 96% and power generation was 400-450 mV/m². The removal of chromium, copper from sediments and power generation were high at acidic pH, temperature on 37°C and at lower external
resistance. The results indicated that the SMFC system could be applied as a long term and
effective tool for the removal of chromium and copper contaminated sediments and supply
power for commercial devices.