Research on the integration of microbial fuel cells with conventional wastewater treatment technology: Advantages of anaerobic fermentation

Abstract

The microbial fuel cell (MFC), acknowledged as an innovative bioenergy conversion system, has attracted considerable attention in research. An MFC is a device that utilizes microorganisms to directly convert chemical energy present in organic compounds into electrical energy. This bioelectrochemical hybrid system functions not only as a power generation tool but also as an effective instrument for sewage treatment, incorporating nutrient recovery. Its noteworthy advantages encompass energy conservation, sludge reduction, and efficient energy conversion. This paper offers a comprehensive overview of recent cases that involve the synergistic treatment of MFC and traditional sewage treatment technologies. The integration of MFC with conventional sewage treatment processes has demonstrated greater efficiency compared to standalone MFC or traditional sewage treatment methods. This coupled system shows significant promise in converting waste into clean energy, optimizing resource utilization, and addressing the energy crisis. Significantly, the integration of MFC with anaerobic fermentation has attracted considerable attention owing to its distinctive advantages, positioning it as a potential future development trend. The paper concludes by analyzing the multifaceted benefits of this coupling system, providing valuable insights for future research on integrating MFC with other technologies.