A comprehensive review of microbial desalination cells for present and future challenges.

Microbial desalination cell (MDC) is an emerging bio-electrochemical system technology used for wastewater decontamination, seawater desalination, and co-energy production. MDCs can be used alone in combination with various water treatment technologies, which may synergize the process of water purification. Efforts are being made for the scale-up of the technology. However, several challenges need to be answered before the up-gradation of the technology to a large scale. This manuscript provides a thorough chronological-founded assessment that encompasses technological challenges for the scale-up of the MDCs. Furthermore, a detailed analysis has been provided on how various technologies help MDCs in efficient and economical wastewater treatment. Some integrated technologies include traditional anaerobic digestion, reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, etc. Various MDC arrangements for their parametric evaluation, such as process conditions, bacteriological impacts, and possible power generation outputs with different anodic materials, have been discussed. Suggestions have also been put forward that can help large-scale MDC development. [Display omitted] • Microbial desalination cells (MDCs) are evaluated as a promising technology for power generation. • Advances in membranes, cell design and hybrid systems for MDCs are discussed. • The microbial desalination cell (MDC) can treat wastewater, produce electricity and desalinate seawater. • Recent progress and developments of microbial desalination has been evaluated. • Various types of microbial desalination also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]