Electricity production in microbial fuel cells using wastewater: Effect of the distance between the electrodes

Abstract

The influence of the electrode separation on electricity production and organic matter removal was studied in microbial fuel cells using wastewater. Three cells were constructed with similar geometry, but different volume. On average, 71% of the initial organic matter was removed. Cycle duration was 0.97, 1.03 and 5.93 days for the 40, 80 and 120 mL cells, respectively. The increment of the distance between the electrodes (4, 8 and 12 cm) did not affect electricity generation adversely. The higher voltage was obtained in the 120 mL cell (660 mV), whereas 540 and 532 mV were obtained for the 40 and 80 mL cells, respectively. Maximum power density was 408 mW/m2 and was obtained in the 12 cm cell. However, it was observed that volumetric power decreased as the separation between electrodes increased.