The Potential of Microbial Fuel Cells as a Dual Solution for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment and Energy Generation: A Case Study
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are bio-electrochemical systems that harness microorganisms to convert organic pollutants in wastewater directly into electricity, offering a dual solution for sustainable wastewater treatment and renewable energy generation. This paper presents a holistic techno-economic...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/14/3725 |
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| author | Shajjadur Rahman Shajid Monjur Mourshed Md. Golam Kibria Bahman Shabani |
| author_facet | Shajjadur Rahman Shajid Monjur Mourshed Md. Golam Kibria Bahman Shabani |
| author_sort | Shajjadur Rahman Shajid |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are bio-electrochemical systems that harness microorganisms to convert organic pollutants in wastewater directly into electricity, offering a dual solution for sustainable wastewater treatment and renewable energy generation. This paper presents a holistic techno-economic and environmental feasibility assessment of large-scale MFC deployment in Dhaka’s industrial zone, Bangladesh, as a relevant case study. Here, treating 100,000 cubic meters of wastewater daily would require a capital investment of approximately USD 500 million, with a total project cost ranging between USD 307.38 million and 1.711 billion, depending on system configurations. This setup has an estimated theoretical energy recovery of 478.4 MWh/day and a realistic output of 382 MWh/day, translating to a per-unit energy cost of USD 0.2–1/kWh. MFCs show great potential for treating wastewater and addressing energy challenges. However, this paper explores remaining challenges, including high capital costs, electrode and membrane inefficiencies, and scalability issues. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2913602bcc7d4feeaf2b92298864db5c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-2913602bcc7d4feeaf2b92298864db5c2025-08-20T03:36:19ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-07-011814372510.3390/en18143725The Potential of Microbial Fuel Cells as a Dual Solution for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment and Energy Generation: A Case StudyShajjadur Rahman Shajid0Monjur Mourshed1Md. Golam Kibria2Bahman Shabani3Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-4130, USADepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (RUET), Rajshahi 6204, BangladeshDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (RUET), Rajshahi 6204, BangladeshSchool of Engineering, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, AustraliaMicrobial fuel cells (MFCs) are bio-electrochemical systems that harness microorganisms to convert organic pollutants in wastewater directly into electricity, offering a dual solution for sustainable wastewater treatment and renewable energy generation. This paper presents a holistic techno-economic and environmental feasibility assessment of large-scale MFC deployment in Dhaka’s industrial zone, Bangladesh, as a relevant case study. Here, treating 100,000 cubic meters of wastewater daily would require a capital investment of approximately USD 500 million, with a total project cost ranging between USD 307.38 million and 1.711 billion, depending on system configurations. This setup has an estimated theoretical energy recovery of 478.4 MWh/day and a realistic output of 382 MWh/day, translating to a per-unit energy cost of USD 0.2–1/kWh. MFCs show great potential for treating wastewater and addressing energy challenges. However, this paper explores remaining challenges, including high capital costs, electrode and membrane inefficiencies, and scalability issues.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/14/3725microbial fuel cellwaste-to-energysustainability |
| spellingShingle | Shajjadur Rahman Shajid Monjur Mourshed Md. Golam Kibria Bahman Shabani The Potential of Microbial Fuel Cells as a Dual Solution for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment and Energy Generation: A Case Study Energies microbial fuel cell waste-to-energy sustainability |
| title | The Potential of Microbial Fuel Cells as a Dual Solution for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment and Energy Generation: A Case Study |
| title_full | The Potential of Microbial Fuel Cells as a Dual Solution for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment and Energy Generation: A Case Study |
| title_fullStr | The Potential of Microbial Fuel Cells as a Dual Solution for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment and Energy Generation: A Case Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Potential of Microbial Fuel Cells as a Dual Solution for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment and Energy Generation: A Case Study |
| title_short | The Potential of Microbial Fuel Cells as a Dual Solution for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment and Energy Generation: A Case Study |
| title_sort | potential of microbial fuel cells as a dual solution for sustainable wastewater treatment and energy generation a case study |
| topic | microbial fuel cell waste-to-energy sustainability |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/14/3725 |
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