Optimization of a self-powered chemical photosynthesis desalination cell operation

Background: Chemical photosynthetic desalination cells (CPDCs) are among the last generations of desalination cells which use microalgae in their structure. In the cathode chambers of previous desalination cells, expensive catalysts and toxic chemicals were employed for electricity generation, similar to other bio-electrochemical systems. Many parameters affect the CPDC performance, which are still unknown.Methods: In this study, the optimization of CPDC operating parameters was investigated utilizing response surface methodology (RSM). The investigated parameters were catholyte flow rate, catholyte pH, inlet salinity concentration, saltwater flow rate, anolyte pH, anolyte concentration, and anolyte flow rate. Three different anolyte types were investigated which were an acidic anolyte (10 mM HCl), neutral anolyte (12 g/L NaCl solution) and alkaline anolyte (10 mM NaOH solution).Significant Findings: Using the optimum values for these parameters, the predicted (from RSM) and experimental salinity removal percentage values were found to be 77.76% and 75.33%, respectively. The alkaline anolyte showed higher salinity removal percentage, and power generation values (71% and 36.8 W/m2), respectively.

Automated summary

This study investigated the optimization of operating parameters for chemical photosynthetic desalination cells (CPDCs) using response surface methodology (RSM). By adjusting parameters such as catholyte flow rate, catholyte pH, inlet salinity concentration, saltwater flow rate, anolyte pH, anolyte concentration, and anolyte flow rate, the predicted and experimental salinity removal percentages were found to be 77.76% and 75.33%, respectively. The alkaline anolyte showed higher salinity removal percentage and power generation values.