Wastewater treatment in pilot‐scale microbial fuel cell using multielectrode assembly with ceramic separator suitable for field applications

Performance of 45 L pilot scale microbial fuel cell (MFC) made from glass fiber‐reinforced plastic and ceramic‐separators (CS) with multiple electrode assembly was evaluated. Study on effect of external resistance (Rext) varying from 100 to 3 Ω revealed that maximum power (Pmax) of 14.28 mW (37.8 mA current) with chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of 84 ± 5.1% was observed at Rext of 10 Ω. While evaluating influence of organic loading rate (OLR) from 0.75 to 8 g COD L−1d−1, the MFC showed Pmax of 17.63 mW (42 mA current) and COD removal of 69 ± 5.1% at OLR of 4.5 g COD L−1d−1. Internal resistance (Rint) of 12.4 Ω observed is among the least value reported in literature for larger MFCs. Simplicity in design, ease of fabrication, lower Rint, longevity and low cost CS, which can withstand more hydraulic pressure than polymeric membranes, are the advantages that this MFC offers to make it suitable for field applications.