Sophia, Carmalin A and Bhalambaal, V M (2016) Microbial water desalination and bio-electricity generation - Role of biomass carbon. Current Science, 111 (6). pp. 1077-1083. ISSN 0011-3891

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Abstract

Microbial desalination cells (MDCs) are modified microbial fuel cells (MFC) that are energy-sustainable. They use organic matter in wastewater as the energy source for desalination. The electric potential gradient is caused by exoelectrogenic bacteria. A typical MDC has a middle compartment for water desalination between the anode and cathode chambers. Our study reports lab-scale desalination, for evaluating the role of carbon from biomass waste. Control experiments were performed in the absence of activated carbon. Different initial salt concentrations (25 and 35 gl–1 ) were investigated. MDC produced a maximum voltage of 460  13 mV simultaneously removing about 83.3  1.3% of Na+ and 57.8  1.1% of Cl– , in the desalination cycle. The control MDC produced a maximum of 260  8 mV and 69.3  2% of Na+ removal and 51  1.5% Cl– removal. These results explain the role of using activated carbon for improved power production and water desalination. The SEM image of the biofilm shows pili (nanowires) with rod-shaped microorganisms. EDAX confirmed the presence of minerals such as Al, P, K, O, N, which may be due to chemical scale formation (especially P, Na and Ca)

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Biomass Carbon, Graphite Electrodes, Microbial Desalination, Microbial Fuel Cell, Potable Water.
Subjects:	Biochemistry Water Treatment
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
Depositing User:	Dr Carmalin Sophia
Date Deposited:	01 Jan 2017 08:54
Last Modified:	01 Jan 2017 09:00
URI:	http://neeri.csircentral.net/id/eprint/617

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