Removal of metals (chromium and copper) and power generation through sediment microbial fuel cell

Abstract: A sediment microbial fuel cell (SMFC) is a type of microbial fuel cell (MFC) that has recently attracted significantly attentions due to its unique property of removing organic and inorganic compounds from sediments. In this study, different parameters were optimized for the performance of SMFC. The chromium and copper were detected in the sediment samples. The experiments were carried out in a dual-chamber SMFC under ranges of pH, 17 temperature 0-80°C and external resistance 10-100 Ω. At pH 2, temperature 37°C and 10 Ω external resistance the removal of chromium and copper were about 96% and power generation was 400-450 mV/m2. The removal of chromium, copper from sediments and power generation were high at acidic pH, temperature on 37°C and at lower external resistance. The results indicated that the SMFC system could be applied as a long term and effective tool for the removal of chromium and copper contaminated sediments and supply power for commercial devices