A microbial electrolysis cell and a tank

Abstract

A microbial electrolysis cell 100 has a plurality of flexible layers each separated by an inter-layer distance. At least some of the inter-layer distances a,b,c are configured to decrease in response to a compressive force applied to the microbial electrolysis cell 100. At least one of the plurality of flexible layers is a resilient material configured to partially resist compression of the microbial electrolysis cell by the compressive force such that a minimum inter-layer distance between at least some of the plurality of flexible layers is substantially maintained. Part b of figure 4 represent the compressed cell. The first cathode may be located in the hydrogen gas chamber. The resilient material may comprise an open cell foam. A tank for wastewater treatment immerses one or more of the microbial electrolysis cells in wastewater and applies the compressive force to the one or more microbial electrolysis cells. [Figure 4]