Evaluación del potencial electrogénico de una membrana de intercambio de electrones para una celda de combustible microbiana en el tratamiento de lixiviados.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the electrogenic potential of an electron exchange membrane for a microbial fuel cell in leachate treatment. For the experimentation, solid waste from fruits and vegetables was collected from multiple warehouses located in the Wholesale Market: EP-EMMPA San Pedro in the city of Riobamba. The assembly of the MFCs was carried out in the Laboratory of Biological Sciences of the Faculty of Natural Resources, where a laminar flow chamber was used to decontaminate through ultraviolet light, each one of the compartments of the anodic and cathodic chamber. of the MFCs, avoiding the presence of microorganisms that could alter the production of bioelectricity (asepsis). For the experimentation, the electrogenic bacterium Delftia Acidovorans was selected as inoculum, which together with the protionic exchange membranes: Carbon fiber, maghemite and maghemite with heat treatment increased the passage of electrons and voltage production. The MFCs were monitored using a data acquisition system with an Arduino 1 and 3 ads1115 I2c analog converters, automatically collecting voltage data every 60 seconds on a computer for 15 days. Parameters of biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, ammoniacal nitrogen and pH were analyzed, obtaining better results in the removal of organic matter generated by bacterial action. On the other hand, the voltage production generated in the MFC 3-2 and MFC 3-3 cells did not present significant differences in comparison with the MFC 3-1 composed of carbon fiber, where it was found that the voltages were lower with respect to the treatments of maghemite and maghemite with thermal treatment. It is recommended that the substrate be in contact with the anode chamber for a continuous transmission of H+ between substrate and membranes.