Journal of Water and Wastewater Science and Engineering

Journal of Water and Wastewater Science and Engineering

Performance Evaluation of a Microbial Desalination Cell Using Bio-Cathode for the Treatment of Saline Water

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 M.Sc., Biochemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Associate Professor, Biochemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
Microbial Desalination Cells (MDCs) represent a novel and sustainable technology that uses the metabolic activities of microorganisms for electricity generation, wastewater treatment, and seawater desalination. This technology provides a promising solution to the growing global water scarcity issue through an environmentally friendly process. In this study, the performance of a MDC with two types of bio-cathodes, activated sludge and microalgal Chlorella vulgaris, was evaluated for the desalination of saline water. The highest desalination efficiency in the MDC with an aerobic sludge cathode was 75%, with a maximum salt removal rate of 0.72 g.L-1.h-1. In contrast, the MDC with an algal cathode achieved a desalination efficiency of 61%, with a maximum salt removal rate of 0.41 g.L-1.h-1. Furthermore, the maximum power densities of 456 and 841 mW.m-2 were obtained for the MDC with Chlorella vulgaris and activated sludge, respectively. The presence of a diverse and metabolically active microbial community within the activated sludge could significantly enhance the electron uptake capacity in the cathode chamber due to the higher ability to regenerate the final electron acceptor reaction.
Keywords

 
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Volume 10, Issue 1
Spring 2025
Pages 41-48

  • Receive Date 25 July 2024
  • Revise Date 10 November 2024
  • Accept Date 30 November 2024