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Effects of electrolyte total dissolved solids (TDS) on performance and anodic microbes of microbial fuel cells


L Zhang
L Ding
C Li
K Xu
H Ren

Abstract

Effects of total dissolved solids (TDS) of electrolyte on performance and anodic microbes were studied in double-chamber microbial fuel cells (MFC) with batch operation. Results showed that the optimum voltage output (355 mV, 1000 ) and power generation (578 mW/m2) were achieved at TDS 20 g/L and 5 g/L, respectively. There were positive correlations between electrolyte TDS and voltage outputs at TDS 10 g/L and 20 g/L, but negative ones at TDS 30 g/L. Operations of the MFCs at TDS 30 g/L were not stable. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rates decreased while coulombic efficiencies (CEs) increased with increased TDS. Anodic microbe species varied a lot at different TDS conditions. Main anodic microbes (Alcaligenes, Gordonia and Syntrophaceae) at lower TDS disappeared in MFCs at TDS 30 g/L. TDS as high as 30 g/L was harmful to the MFC system.

Key words: Microbial fuel cell, total dissolved solids (TDS), anodic microbe.


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eISSN: 1684-5315