Recent advancement in scaling-up applications of microbial fuel cells: From reality to practicability

In the current scenario, application of microbial fuel cell (MFC) is limited at laboratory scale for wastewater treatment and energy recovery. Scaling-up applications of MFC are constrained with microbes-electrode interactions, design aspects, electrochemical limitations and multidisciplinary approach of environmental electrochemistry and biotechnology. For transformation of bench-top MFC models towards the field applications, scaling-up can be achieved by enlarging the size of electrodes and stacking of modular units. However, the issues of maintaining the proportionate energy harvesting rate and voltage reversal need to be addressed. Present review focused on scaling-up barriers and realistic status of MFC technology towards practical use as well as techno-economic assessment of the system. Field demonstration of Pee-Power MFC, Bioelectric toilet and other onsite applications for industrial use are key indicators of successful implementation of MFC technology for field applications. With advancement towards practical use, MFC can be sustainable competent technology against conventional technologies for wastewater treatment and energy recovery.