Pipeline Terracotta Microbial Fuel Cell: Organic Content Biosensor and Energy Harvesting Device Integrated in Wastewater Pipeline

Abstract

Wastewater pipelines are present everywhere in urban areas. Wastewater is a preferable fuel for renewable electricity generation from microbial fuel cells. Here, we created an integrated microbial fuel cell pipeline (MFCP) that could be connected to wastewater pipelines and work as an organic content biosensor and energy harvesting device at domestic waste-treatment plants. The MFCP used a pipeline-like terracotta-based membrane, which provided structural support for the MFCP. In addition, the anode and cathode were attached to the inside and outside of the terracotta membrane, respectively. Co−MnO2 was used as a catalyst to improve the performance of the MFCP cathode. The experimental data showed a good linear relationship between wastewater chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration and the MFCP output voltage in a COD range of 200–1900 mg/L. This result implies the potential of using the MFCP as a sensor to detect the organic content of the wastewater inside the wastewater pipeline. Furthermore, the MFCP can be used as a long-lasting sustainable energy harvester with a maximum power density of 400 mW/m2 harvested from 1900 mg/L COD wastewater at 25 °C.