Electricigens and microbial fuel cells for bioremediation and bioenergy production: a review

The rising energy demand and the decline of fossil fuel usage is calling for alternative, sustainable energies such as microbial fuel cells. Here, we review the electricigens and microbial fuel cells for power production, removal and recovery of metals from effluents, microbial desalination and hydrogen production. We present principles and applications using both double- and single-chambered microbial fuel cells. Advantages versus actual energy technologies include no discharge of polluting gases such as SOx, NOx, CO2 and CO.

Automated summary

Microbial fuel cells are a sustainable energy technology that can be used for power generation, wastewater treatment, and hydrogen production. One of the main advantages of microbial fuel cells compared to current energy technologies is that they do not emit polluting gases such as SOx, NOx, CO2, and CO.