Pharmaceutical wastewater treatment associated with renewable energy generation in microbial fuel cell based on mobilized electro active bioflim

Abstract

Industrial wastewater generated pharmaceutical industry generally contains high organic load and the treatment is primarily carried out using biological methods. Anaerobic wastewater treatment is considered as the most cost effective solution for high organically polluted industrial waste streams. However, biotreatment of wastewaters associated with energy recovery seems to be a potential approach for waste treatment and conservation. On the other hand, Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent a new bio-electrochemical technology for generating electricity directly from biodegradable organic compounds. This research work aimed to study the potential of industrial pharmaceutical wastewater treatment accompanying with bioelectricity production in microbial fuel cell utilizing mixed cultures immobilized on a packed bed in the anode compartment. A dual-chambered lab scale microbial fuel cells (MFC) have been developed, based on electroactive biofilm attached to activated carbon granules bed. The MFC was fueled with actual pharmaceutical industry wastewater. The MFC was inoculated with anaerobic mixed consortiums, previously acclimated to pharmaceutical wastewater. Results revealed that maximum COD removal from effeciency up to 81%, and current density of 342.86 mA/rn2 were observed in this study. Experimental work indicated that the presented microbial fuel cell (MFC) design can be successfully used for simultaneous pharmaceutical wastewater treatment and power generation.