Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: A Novel Microbial Fuel Cell Reactor Design For Drinking Water Treatment
EPA Grant Number: SU835305Title: A Novel Microbial Fuel Cell Reactor Design For Drinking Water Treatment
Investigators: Kilduff, James E. , Hynes Maginn, Anne Patricia , Krishnamurthy, Ajay , Solina, Brent , Belanger, Derek , Fishbach, Kelly , Baveye, Philippe , Gadhamshetty, Venkataramana
Institution: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Phase: I
Project Period: August 15, 2012 through August 14, 2013
Project Amount: $14,418
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2012) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Air Quality , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
The major objective of this proposal is to design and develop a novel tubular microbial fuel cell (MFC)-based water treatment system that purifies natural water by reducing oxidized contaminants. Organic waste streams in the anode-compartment will provide a constant supply of electrons to sustain reduction of aqueous contaminants in the cathode-compartment. Contaminated water will continuously pass over the cathode where autotrophic microbial catalysts facilitate bioelectrochemical reduction of aqueous contaminants. The innovative aspect of the proposed research lies in the development of a modular MFC-module that can be stacked in series and parallel combinations, and that can simultaneously treat organic streams and produce potable water, all with the net-production of clean electricity. Novel nanocomposite materials will be integrated as electrodes to enhance current production in the proposed MFC-module. Further, we will couple the MFC-modules with gravity-fed, slow-sand filtration (SSF) to eliminate natural organic matter (NOM), and microbes potentially sloughed from the MFC. The combined MFC/SSF approach will address a range of contaminants that might challenge a small water supply. Under optimized conditions, the MFC will provide the electricity required to drive water pumps and other equipment, providing a sustainable water treatment system associated with low chemical- and energy-input, and low residuals generation. We anticipate the scalability of the proposed MFC design to encompass applications ranging from point-of-use to full scale.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
In this project, we demonstrated that bioelectrochemical-oxidation of organic waste matter (in the anode compartment) can be integrated with bioelectrochemical-reduction of aqueous contaminants (in the cathode compartment) of MFC. We developed a novel, working prototype of a tubular MFC based on Nafion-membrane cylindrical assembly. The tubular MFC design offers a smaller foot print (~8 fold smaller) than conventional two-compartment MFCs for the equivalent electrolyte volume. The internal resistance was largely reduced due to minimal inter-electrode spacing between anode and cathode. The design parameters for the tubular MFCs can be summarized as inter-electrode spacing of 0.127 mm, anode-surface-area/anolyte volume of 160 m2/m3 and anode-surface-area/ cathode-surface- area of 1 m2/m2. In another independent study, we demonstrated bioelectrochemical treatment of a hydrophobic organic contaminant, a potential human carcinogen in water systems. In this project, we developed a new approach to use solid organic wastes (e.g. algae residues) as a feedstock in the anode of MFCs. We developed a preliminary kinetic model to estimate mediator production in response to soluble electron-acceptor (EA) or a solid EA in a microbial fuel cell. The model simulates kinetic rates of cell growth, lactate consumption, acetate accumulation, and flavins production. The model was evaluated under three different experimental conditions varying in the type of EA: i) dissolved oxygen, ii) dissolved fumarate, and, iii) the solid anode in a microbial fuel cell. Finally, we developed a novel graphene electrode for MFC by depositing a conformal graphene coating over porous Ni foam via template-directed chemical vapor deposition.
Conclusions:
We addressed several technical objectives that were proposed during Phase1 of our EPA- P3 project: 1) we developed an innovative use of solid organic wastes (e.g. algae residues) as feedstock for microbial fuel cell operation; 2) we demonstrated the treatment of potential carcinogens (i.e., emerging contaminants) in the biocathodes of MFCs; 3) we delineated fundamental mechanisms relevant to the application of graphene electrodes in MFCs; and, 4) we demonstrated the use of a tubular MFC module using Nafion assembly, albeit at a smaller scale. All these accomplishments are evident from a series of journal articles, conference proceedings, and conference presentations during past 9 months (listed below). The Phase I of this EPA-P3 project provided an enriching experience for faculty, undergradutes, graduate students, and one high school student. Further studies are warranted in order to apply the scientific outcomes from Phase1 of EPA-P3 grant, and develop a large-scale tubular MFC for simultaneous treatment of solid organic wastes (SOWs) and aqueous contaminants.
Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 1 publications | 1 publications in selected types | All 1 journal articles |
|---|
| Type | Citation | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Gadhamshetty V, Belanger D, Gardiner C-J, Cummings A, Hynes A. Evaluation of Laminaria-based microbial fuel cells (LbMs) for electricity production. Bioresource Technology 2013;127:378-385. |
SU835305 (Final) |
Exit Exit |
Supplemental Keywords:
microbial fuel cells, anti-fouling membranes, graphene, impedance, solid organic wastes, bioelectrochemical, modelinGRelevant Websites:
Dr. Gadhamshetty Venkataramana: EPA P3 Exit
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.