M.S. Gladysheva, N.R. Molodkina

MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS IN WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS: PROSPECTS FOR IMPLEMENTATION

 

Annotation. Modern methods of wastewater treatment are often associated with high energy costs and the formation of a significant volume of waste, which stimulates the search for alternative technologies that combine efficiency and environmental friendliness. One such solution is microbial fuel cells (MFCs) – innovative systems that can be applied at wastewater treatment plants, generating electricity through the metabolic activity of microorganisms. This paper examines the operating principles of MFCs. The design features of various types of microbial fuel cells are described: single-chamber, dual-chamber, membraneless, and benthic. Special attention is paid to their application in urban and industrial water treatment systems. The prospects for scaling the technology and integrating it into existing water treatment infrastructures are discussed. The presented data confirm the high potential of MFCs as a sustainable approach to solving environmental problems and reducing energy consumption in water treatment processes.

Keywords: microbial fuel cells, ecobiotechnology, electrogenic microorganisms, wastewater treatment, energy efficiency, industrial effluents, sustainable technologies.

For citation: Gladysheva M.S., Molodkina N.R. [Microbial fuel cells in wastewater treatment systems: prospects for implementation]. Upravlenie tekhnosferoi, 2026, vol. 9, issue 1, рр. 161–177. DOI: 10.35634/UdSU.2026.66.56.011. (In Russ.).

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About the Authors

Gladysheva Marina Sergeevna

Master's student, ITMO University, 197101, Kronverkskiy pr., 49, lit. A, Saint-Petersburg, Russia.

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Molodkina Nelli Rinatovna

Head of the Laboratory of the Faculty of Ecotechnologies, Associate Professor of the Faculty of Ecotechnologies, PhD, ITMO University, 197101, Kronverkskiy pr., 49, lit. A, Saint-Petersburg, Russia. Email: Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript.

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