Comparative Studies of Recirculatory Microbial Desalination Cell–Microbial Electrolysis Cell Coupled Systems

• Published in: Membranes (Basel) Vol. 11; no. 9; p. 661
• Main Authors: Koomson, Desmond Ato, Huang, Jingyu, Li, Guang, Miwornunyuie, Nicholas, Ewusi-Mensah, David, Darkwah, Williams Kweku, Opoku, Prince Atta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 27.08.2021; MDPI
• Subjects: Ammonia; Ammonium; ammonium ions; Biosorption; Brackish water; Carbon; Chemical reduction; Comparative studies; Desalination; dual-chambered MEC; Electric potential; Electrodes; Electrolysis; Electrolytes; Energy consumption; Ferricyanide; Ferrous ions; Fuel cells; Glucose; Heavy metals; heavy metals removal; Iron; Lead; Membranes; Metals; Microorganisms; Potassium; power source; Power sources; Power supply; recirculatory MDC–MEC coupled system; Saline water; single-chambered MEC; Voltage; Wastewater; Wastewater treatment; United States > US; China
• ISSN: 2077-0375; 2077-0375
• DOI: 10.3390/membranes11090661

The recirculatory microbial desalination cell–microbial electrolysis cell (MDC–MEC) coupled system is a novel technology that generates power, treats wastewater, and supports desalination through eco-friendly processes. This study focuses on the simultaneous efficient removal of Fe2+ and Pb2+ in the MEC and ammonium ions in the MDC. It also evaluates the performances of dual-chambered MEC (DCMEC) and single-chambered MEC (SCMEC), coupled with MDC with Ferricyanide as catholyte (MDCF) in heavy metals (Pb2+ and Fe2+) removal, in addition to the production of voltage, current, and power within a 48-h cycle. The SCMEC has a higher Pb2+ (74.61%) and Fe2+ (85.05%) removal efficiency during the 48-h cycle than the DCMEC due to the simultaneous use of microbial biosorption and the cathodic reduction potential. The DCMEC had a higher current density of 753.62 mAm−2 than that of SCMEC, i.e., 463.77 mAm−2, which influences higher desalination in the MDCF than in the SCMEC within the 48-h cycle. The MDCF produces a higher voltage (627 mV) than Control 1, MDC (505 mV), as a power source to the two MECs. Stable electrolytes’ pH and conductivities provide a conducive operation of the coupled system. This study lays a solid background for the type of MDC–MEC coupled systems needed for industrial scale-up.