Revolutionizing Water Treatment with Microbial Desalination Cells: Current Trends and Future Directions

Abstract

The Microbial Desalination Cell (MDC) emerges as an innovative solution for power generation and wastewater treatment, operating without external energy input. MDCs utilize Electroactive bacteria (EAB), which oxidize organic matter and transfer electrons to an anode. These electrons subsequently traverse an external circuit to a cathode, where they react with protons and oxygen. The MDC setup incorporated three distinct chambers: anode, desalination, and cathode. Wastewater samples were placed in the anode and cathode compartments, while the desalination chamber contained saline water. The MDC operated for 30 days continuously. A digital multimeter was employed to regularly monitor and log the generated voltages. In the anode, the concentration of No₂ decreases from 28.15 mg/l to 1.56 mg/l, while in the cathode, the concentration of No₂ decreases from 29 mg/l to 2.92 mg/l. In the anode, the concentration of No₃ decreases from 37.95 mg/l to 2.09 mg/l, in the cathode, the concentration of No₃ decreases from 39.1 mg/l to 3.96 mg/l. the concentration of So₄ in anode decrease from 1314 mg/l to 110 mg/l in cathode decrease from 1710 mg/l to 122 mg/l. An MDC presents notable benefits, including the concurrent treatment of wastewater, production of renewable energy, and desalination of water. This comprehensive method makes them a sustainable and economically feasible option for tackling water scarcity and energy challenges. Nonetheless, issues such as scalability, efficiency, and membrane fouling need to be resolved before they can be widely implemented. Current research is dedicated to optimizing MDC designs and boosting their performance for effective use in real-world scenarios.