Electricigens and microbial fuel cells for bioremediation and bioenergy production: a review

The rising energy demand and the decline of fossil fuel usage is calling for alternative, sustainable energies such as microbial fuel cells. Here, we review the electricigens and microbial fuel cells for power production, removal and recovery of metals from effluents, microbial desalination and hydrogen production. We present principles and applications using both double- and single-chambered microbial fuel cells. Advantages versus actual energy technologies include no discharge of polluting gases such as SOx, NOx, CO2 and CO.