Desalination of brackish water using a microbial desalination cell: Analysis of the electrochemical behaviour

A microbial desalination cell (MDC) is a microbial fuel cell (MFC) integrated with an electrodialysis (ED) cell in the same device to simultaneously treat wastewater, desalinate brackish or seawater, and produce electric energy. Most previously reported studies used oxygen reduction as the primary cathodic reaction. In contrast, we have explored brackish water desalination (7 g L-1) and energy production using a laboratory MDC system (cross-section 100 cm(2), batch mode) and ferricyanide as the catholyte. Furthermore, a rational explanation of desalination performance when using a catholyte is presented, and, additionally, the impact of producing electrical energy on desalination performance is discussed. Interestingly, conductivity variation in the saline chamber can be used to predict electrochemical performance. In summary, this study provides the basis for the development, design, and optimisation of low-energy desalination using MDC technology. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A microbial desalination cell is a type of microbial fuel cell integrated with an electrodialysis cell for wastewater treatment, desalination, and energy production. This study explored brackish water desalination and energy production using ferricyanide as the catholyte, and found conductivity variation in the saline chamber can predict electrochemical performance.