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Application of microbial fuel cell technology for vinasse treatment and bioelectricity generation

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Abstract

Objective

Our study evaluated the performance of different two-chambered microbial fuel cell (MFC) prototypes, operated with variable distance between electrodes and Nafion membrane and specific inoculum concentration, applied for vinasse treatment.

Results

The performance of the developed MFC resulted in a maximum current density of 1200 mA m−2 and power density of 800 mW m−2 in a period of 61 days. MFC performed a chemical oxygen demand removal at a rate ranging from 51 to 60%.

Conclusions

Taking our preliminary results into consideration, we concluded that the MFC technology presents itself as highly promising for the treatment of vinasse.

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Acknowledgements

Authors would like to acknowledge the technician and financial support of Programa Novos Talentos provided by the Instituto de Pesquisa Tecnológica do Estado de São Paulo (IPT) and Instituto de Estudos Avançados do Mar (IEAMar).

Funding

Instituto de Pesquisa Tecnológica do Estado de São Paulo/Programa Novos Talentos, through individual Research Grant attributed to Cristiane Angélica Ottoni.

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Correspondence to Cristiane Angélica Ottoni.

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Ottoni, C.A., Simões, M.F., Santos, J.G. et al. Application of microbial fuel cell technology for vinasse treatment and bioelectricity generation. Biotechnol Lett 41, 107–114 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-018-2624-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-018-2624-2

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