Vélez-Pérez, L.S., Ramirez-Nava, J., Hernández-Flores, G., Talavera-Mendoza, O., Escamilla-Alvarado, C., Poggi-Varaldo, H.M., Solorza-Feria, O., and López-Díaz, J.A.
The objective of this study was to evaluate performance of a co-treatment method of industrial acid mine drainage (I-AMD) and municipal wastewater (MWW) by dual-chamber microbial fuel cells (DC - MFC). Sewage sludge and MWW were used as inoculum-fuel in anodic chamber. I-AMD was fed to the cathode side of the chamber. A 100 Ω resistor was used to externally connect the anode to the cathode (DC-MFC-A). A second cell was operated at the open circuit potential (DC-MFC-B). In both cells, the efficiency of organic matter removal was ~15% and the wastewater alkalinity was reduced by more than 50% in both cells. On the other hand, the physicochemical characteristics and composition of I-AMD were modified. The pH increased from 2.50 to 4.12 ± 0.6. The S O 4 2 − concentration was reduced ca. 20 and 8% for the DC-MFC-A and DC-MFC-B , respectively. N O 3 − Concentration decreased in both cells by >90%. Different heavy metals (HM s) and metalloid removal values were observed in the cells: 42, 84, 71, 77, 55 and 42% for Cd, Cu, Fe, Al, Pb and As, respectively. Finally, a maximum volumetric power of 14,000 mW/m3 was reached by DC-MFC-A. The DC-MFC s achieved simultaneous treatment of MWW , partial neutralization of I-AMD, HM s removal, and bioelectricity generation. Hence, DC-MFC s seem to be an encouraging alternative for bioremediation of both MWW and I-AMD. Image 1 • Actual acid mine drainage and wastewater were co-treated by microbial fuel cells. • After 120 h, the pH of actual acid mine drainage increased from 2.50 up to 4.12. • High nitrates removal was observed (>90%) from actual acid mine drainage. • A maximum volumetric power of 14,000 mW/m3 was harvested using a hazardous effluent. • Cd, Cu, Fe, Al, Pb and As were removed by 42, 84, 71, 77, 55 and 42%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]