Abstract
Microbial desalination cell, a versatile technology for simultaneous wastewater treatment, desalination and power generation is hoped to solve the critical needs (water and energy) of the world. However, to achieve these, sustainable cathode is required. Thus, this research investigated the potential of Ceratophyllum demersum for the construction of an efficient and environmentally friendly biocathode. With the plant biocathode, a plant microbial desalination cell was developed which was able to cause a 10.22% desalination of a 35 g/l salt solution in a batch cycle. Though the maximum voltage produced was small (154 ± 0.33 mV), the cell was, however, able to achieve a 41.79% COD reduction from an initial of 645 ± 2.3 mg/l using 1.05% nitrate and 9.97% phosphorus in wastewater. Unsuitable growth conditions for the survival of C. demersum and high internal resistance of the PMDC were identified as the main causes of the low peak voltage and percentage desalination produced by this cell. Future research on plant microbial desalination cells should consider solving the stated challenges.
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Abbreviations
- MDC:
-
Microbial desalination cells
- AEM:
-
Anion exchange membrane
- CEM:
-
Cation exchange membrane
- PMDC:
-
Plant microbial desalination cell
- MFC:
-
Microbial fuel cell
- EC:
-
Electrical conductivity
- CE:
-
Coulombic efficiency
- PAO:
-
Polyphosphate accumulating microorganisms
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Acknowledgements
This research work was supported by the Government of Ghana and World Bank through the Regional Water and Environmental Sanitation Center Kumasi, Kwame Nkrumah University for Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
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IAZ designed, constructed, carried out experiments and drafted the paper. Dr. MYM, Prof RB and Prof RCA supervised the experiments, provided technical guidance and proof-read the paper.
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Abubakari, Z.I., Mensah, M., Buamah, R. et al. Assessment of the electricity generation, desalination and wastewater treatment capacity of a plant microbial desalination cell (PMDC). Int J Energ Water Res 3, 213–218 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42108-019-00030-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42108-019-00030-y