In Seop Chang^a, Jae Kyung Jang^a, Geun Cheol Gil^a, Mia Kim^{a, 1}, Hyung Joo Kim^{a, 1}, Byung Won Cho^b, Byung Hong Kim^a

^a Water Environment & Remediation Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 39-1, Hawolgok-dong, Sungpook-ku, Seoul 136-791, South Korea
^b Eco-Nano Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 39-1, Hawolgok-dong, Sungpook-ku, Seoul 136-791, South Korea

Abstract
A mediator-less microbial fuel cell (MFC) was used as a biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) sensor in an amperometric mode for real-time wastewater monitoring. At a hydraulic retention time of 1.05 h, BOD values of up to 100 mg/l were measured based on a linear relationship, while higher BOD values were measured using a lower feeding rate. About 60 min was required to reach a new steady-state current after the MFCs had been fed with different strength artificial wastewaters (Aws). The current generated from the MFCs fed with AW with a BOD of 100 mg/l was compared to determine the repeatability, and the difference was less than 10%. When the MFC was starved, the original current value was regained with a varying recovery time depending on the length of the starvation. During starvation, the MFC generated a background level current, probably due to an endogenous metabolism.

Keywords : BOD; Biosensor; Microbial fuel cell; Continuous monitoring

Corresponding author : Byung Hong Kim
¹ Present address: Korea BioSystems Co., Seoul, Korea.