Brackish water treatment and

simultaneous electricity
generation driven by
microbial desalination cells
Perazzoli, S a* , Bastos, R.B. b ,Santana, F.B. b , Soares, H.M. a
*perazzoli.simone@gmail.com
Why Microbial Desalination Cells (MDCs)?

Directly electricity generation

In situ desalination

Energy Low sludge yeld

No aeration

Adaptable to descentralized
treatment

Microbial Desalination Water reclamation

Cells
Environment Low carbon footprint

Less sludge disposal

Energy recovery
Economy
Valuable products recovery

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How does it work?

Figure 2 Voltage of 1-, 3- and 5-MDC configuration obtained

during three consecutive desalination cycles of 24, 48 and 96
hours, respectively.

Figure 3 SEM image of granular graphite electrode surface (a) following growth of Figure 1 - Total desalination rate and salt removal efficiencies of 1-, 3- and 5-MDC configuration
exoelectrogenic bacteria enriched from sediment, using acetate (5.0 g L-1) as obtained during three consecutive desalination cycles of 24, 48 and 96 hours, respectively.
electron donor [Magnification: (a) 3,000X ; (b) 5,000X ; (c) 10,000X and (d) 20,000X].
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Perspectives

MDCs have great potential as a low cost desalination process with

bioelectricity generation.

Improvements need to be conducted.

In a near future, MDC can be applied to treat saline industrial wastewater,

producing a high quality water for reutilization.

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THANK YOU!