Microbial fuel cell for metal sulfide oxidation and nitrate reduction. Part I. Preliminary investigation of electrogenic properties

A fuel cell for wastewater treatment is developed. The aim of the study is the generation of electrical energy due to chemical oxidation of metal sulfide ions in the anode compartment and reduction of nitrate ions in the cathode one. Thus, energy will be obtained and sulfide and nitrate-containing wastewaters will be purified. In this part of the research a choice of the appropriate design of the cell, membrane, and electrodes is done. The electrogenic properties and the determination of the proper conditions for the generation of energy from fuel cells, with simultaneous removal of some severe environmental pollutants using the strain JCM 3863 Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, are studied through their ability to oxidize Fe 2+ to Fe 3+ . Their ability to oxidize metal sulfides will be an object of further investigations. The results for the obtained electrical power from the fuel cell in the course of the wastewater treatment process, as well as the rate of Fe 2+ oxidation and nitrate depletion are shown.