Abstract
Microbial desalination cell (MDC) offers a decentralized wastewater treatment solution as well as an energy-efficient saline water desalination system, which also produces electricity. However, several factors need to be optimised such as: i) the membrane materials properties; ii) overall power density ouptup; and iii) increase of the desalination efficiency. This work focuses on the third part (iii). To enhance the desalination rate and improve the wastewater treatment, a system with 6 MDCs stacked in a cascade configuration has been tested. All three chambers had a volume of 33 mL with a cross-membrane area 25 cm2. The results showed that by cascading the MDCs the total desalination efficiency was susbstantially increased over 20% compared to that achieved from a single stage MDC, which is an excellent initial demonstration of the benefits of sequential treatment. As shown in this work, the MDCs cascade can be effectively optimised to achieve the desired desalination level whilst generating power. To the best of the Authors' knowledge, this is the first report in open literature that described the MDC cascade principles.
| Original language | English |
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| Title of host publication | EFC 2017 - Proceedings of the 7th European Fuel Cell Piero Lunghi Conference |
| Editors | Viviana Cigolotti, Chiara Barchiesi, Michela Chianella |
| Publisher | ENEA |
| Pages | 203-204 |
| Number of pages | 2 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9788882863241 |
| State | Published - 2017 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | 7th European Fuel Cell Piero Lunghi Conference, EFC 2017 - Naples, Italy Duration: Dec 12 2017 → Dec 15 2017 |
Publication series
| Name | EFC 2017 - Proceedings of the 7th European Fuel Cell Piero Lunghi Conference |
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Conference
| Conference | 7th European Fuel Cell Piero Lunghi Conference, EFC 2017 |
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| Country/Territory | Italy |
| City | Naples |
| Period | 12/12/17 → 12/15/17 |
Funding
The authors would like to acknowledge the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the financial support to this project under the grant no. OPP1094890 and OPP OPP1139954.
Keywords
- Microbial fuel cell
- cascade effect
- desalination
- wastewater treatment