SEFCUMPAQ

A NOVEL BIOPROCESS COUPLING WASTEWATER TREATMENT WITH ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION TO REMEDIATE METAL POLLUTED AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTS

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Worldwide contamination of the aquatic environment with heavy metals (such as Fe, Co, Ni, Se, Zn, Pb, and Ni) and organic compounds has become a major concern, disturbing the natural functions of rivers/lakes and ponds, causing ecological and health problems. The microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a special form of a fuel cell in which bacteria catalyze the oxidation of organics and produces electricity. MFCs could provide an elegant novel ecotechnology, combining the clean-up of the pollutants (organic matter, metals or sulfate) with electricity production. This IEF will study a particular form of MFCs, that can easily be integrated in natural treatment systems: sediment fuel cells (SFCs). SFCs rely on the natural voltage gradient between the sediments and the overlying seawater. This gradient is created by microbial oxidation of subfloor organics, which results in the generation of electron-rich reductants such as Fe2 or HS-. However, SFCs are still facing a challenge for consistent power production over extended periods. The composition, mechanisms involved in electroactive biofilms remained largely unknown and the potential of SFCs for metal polluted aquatic environments (MPAE) have not been explored yet. This IEF will develop a novel SFC, which will be tested on MPAEs, both polluted natural fresh and sea water. Thus, this IEF will contribute to the development of a cost effective alternative to current fuel utilization. The novel SFC will be evaluated as a function of organics/metals turnover and specific power production rates and in parallel, novel analytical techniques/methods to enhance/measure the biofilm activity (electrochemical). Finally, a prototype will be tested. This IEF will provide a tool and an instrumental role for water frame work Directive 2000/60/EC of the EU and Directive 2006/21/EC on management of industrial waste. This IEF falls into the category of renewable energy policy of EU, using sediment organic/inorganic pollutants as energy precursor.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Contamination of the aquatic environment by heavy metals and organic compounds can pose a threat to ecosystems and human health. An EU-funded initiative has developed technology that deals with pollution control as well as bioenergy production.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a type of fuel cell that use bacteria to catalyse the oxidation of organic matter in order to produce electricity, thereby combining the clean-up of pollution with electricity production. The EU-funded SEFCUMPAQ project investigated a type of MFC known as a sediment fuel cell (SFC). The purpose was to develop a fuel cell that could couple waste water treatment with electricity production and so remediate heavy metal pollution of aquatic ecosystems.

The main challenge facing SFC development was the enhancement of biofilm formation on the cell's anode electrode, which was tested in polluted freshwater and seawater environments using both pure and mixed microbial communities. A literature review on bioenergy was also conducted and a paper sent to a leading scientific journal.

Electrochemical techniques were studied to gain a better understanding of how anode potential affected the diversity of microorganisms found in the electroactive biofilm. Researchers used single and dual-chambered microbial electrolysis cells to induce the biofilm to grow on graphite rod electrodes in the presence of acetate, which acted as an electron donor. Increased anodic currents for bioelectrocatalytic oxidation of acetate were obtained when the electrodes were incubated for longer periods with continuous electron donor feeding.

Bioelectrochemical cell design was investigated to gain a better understanding of electron flow in biofilms. A study of the bacterium Geobacter sulfuredence provided additional information on how the anode influences power density in dual and single bioelectrical cells.

Geobacter sulfurredence biofilm growth caused a bioelectrocatalytic response to acetate oxidation at different potentials in single electrochemical cells. In contrast, biofilms of dual-chambered bioelectrochemical cells show higher current densities at lower potential. Research also indicated that the potential of amine (NH2)-modified electrodes in electrochemical cells displayed higher current densities and kinetics, confirming amine as a significant prospect for biofuel application.

The main scientific and technologically relevant achievement of the SEFCUMPAQ project was demonstration of the effect of anode potential on electron transfer. This was done through comparison with pure and mixed microbial communities and enhancing the current generation by surface-tailored electrode surfaces.

SEFCUMPAQ has resulted in a number of technological spin-offs, which will contribute to European excellence and competitiveness in the field of bioenergy and pollution control.