Solid microbial fuel cell stack system for long-term organic food waste treatment and bioelectricity generation | |
| Author | Liuyi, Chen |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-24-09 |
| Subject(s) | Microbial fuel cells Food waste Organic wastes |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | This study explores the solid microbial fuel cell (sMFC) stack systems for long-term organic food waste (OFW) treatment and bioelectricity generation. Six single-chamber sMFC reactors were configured in two types of hybrid (series-parallel) connections to assess their feasibility and effectiveness. The sMFC stack systems demonstrated high efficiency and stability in OFW treatment, achieving total chemical oxygen demand (tCOD) removal efficiencies of 63.07%, 58.07%, 64.22%, and 63.20% across four batches. Total solids (TS) and total volatile solids (TVS) concentrations decreased over time, with TS removal efficiencies ranging from 31.22% to 34.71% and TVS removal efficiencies from 47.81% to 59.43%. Nutrient removal was also effective, with total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiencies above 86% and total phosphorus (TP) removal efficiencies between 60.24% and 66.03%. In terms of bioelectricity generation, the sMFC1 and sMFC2 configurations produced stable voltage outputs under different external resistances (470Ω and 200Ω), despite a decline in performance over time due to increased internal resistances and air-cathode contamination. Maximum power densities were 3.68 W/m³ and 3.79 W/m³ for sMFC1 and sMFC2, respectively, indicating the efficiency of the stack configuration over individual reactors. Coulombic efficiencies were higher in sMFC2, with the highest efficiency observed in the third batch at 23.29%. Energy outputs varied, with the highest in the first and third batches (15.73 kJ and 16.03 kJ) and lower outputs in the second and fourth batches (9.43 kJ and 6.83 kJ), influenced by the substrate quality and internal resistance changes. The treated substrate was evaluated for its potential as an organic plant supplement, showing promising characteristics with a pH of 6.99 ± 0.2, organic matter content of 8.61 ± 0.13%, and total nitrogen of 0.09 ± 0.02%. However, further additives or adjustments in hydraulic retention time may be necessary to enhance its applicability |
| Year | 2024 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering and Management (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Xue, Wenchao |
| Examination Committee(s) | Thammarat Koottatep;Cruz, Simon Guerrero |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | China Scholarship Council (CSC) |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2024 |