Development of a Novel Membrane-less Microbial Fuel Cell (ML-MFC) with a Sandwiched Nitrifying Chamber for Efficient Wastewater Treatment

A novel membrane-less microbial fuel cell (ML-MFC) which used the baffles instead of the ion exchange membrane (IEM) was developed for ammonium-containing wastewater treatment and electricity generation. By means of installing an ideal nitrifying unit between the anodic and cathodic chamber, the novel ML-MFC accomplished organics degradation and nitrogen removal without additional loop. The removal efficiencies of COD, NH4+-N and TN achieved 97.07 +/- 0.47%, 91.76 +/- 3.32% and 87.66 +/- 1.59%, respectively. Meanwhile, the effluent pH was near neutral and turbidity was quite low. In addition, the maximum power density of 1.007 +/- 0.032W/m(3) was obtained. Combined with the analysis of microbial community, electroactive bacteria (EAB) Desulfovibrio, Comamonas and Thiobacillus were enriched in biofilm. Considering the superior effluent quality and the promising energy potential, the novel ML-MFC has good application prospects in efficient and sustainable wastewater treatment.