Authors:\u00a0B.Z. Predicala, M Nemati, L.D. Moreno<\/p>\n
Reference: Prairie Swine Centre Annual Research Report 2014-15<\/p>\n
Wastewater generated in the agriculture sector contain organic\u00a0and nitrogenous compounds which represent a valuable source of\u00a0energy that could be harnessed to offset the energy required for\u00a0wastewater treatment. The potential use of microbial fuel cell (MFC)\u00a0technology for treatment of agricultural wastewater was evaluated.
\nUsing model compounds (i.e., lactate, acetate, phenol), it was\u00a0shown that treatment of organic and nitrogenous compounds with\u00a0concomitant generation of energy can be achieved successfully in\u00a0microbial fuel cells, with biodegradation rates in continuous mode\u00a0MFCs significantly higher than in batch systems. Biodegradability\u00a0of the organic compounds influenced the open circuit potential\u00a0(OCP), electrical current and power generation, which were higher in\u00a0continuously operated MFCs. The possibility of biological removal of\u00a0ammonia and nitrite (nitrification and nitritation processes) in the MFC systems was also demonstrated.<\/p>\n