Effect of initial pH, operating temperature, and dissolved oxygen concentrations on performance of pyrite-fuel cells in the presence of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

Fuel cell technology can be applied to remove pyrite from pyrite containing mine waste (PCMW) and to generate electricity. This study investigated the effect of pH, presence of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, operating temperature, and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration on the performance of pyrite-fuel cells (PFCs). These factors affect the pyrite dissolution rate, which affects the electron movement for electricity generation, hence electrical performance. The PFCs performance based on the maximum power density and maximum current density, obtained on the 28th day, was better at pH 2.2 (0.74 mW m−2, 28 mA m−2) than at pH 4.3 and pH 6.5 and in the presence of A. ferrooxidans (i.e., biotic PFCs) than in the abiotic PFCs. The biotic PFCs showed more consistent performance regardless of the operating temperature than the abiotic PFCs. The PFCs performance was better at higher DO concentrations (30-33 mg L-1) than at lower DO concentrations (8-9 and 0-2 mg L-1); however, gas purging used to adjust DO concentrations could adversely affect the biotic PFCs performance. This study demonstrates that PCMW treatment and electricity generation can be achieved using the fuel cell-based technology, and the PFCs performance can be optimized by adjusting the operating conditions.