Paper Title
Optimization of Cosmetic Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Power Generation Using Halophilic Microbial Fuel Cells

Abstract
This study aims to test microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology in treating cosmetic industrial wastewater, meanwhile generating electrical energy. The current study applied an Air cathode, (ACMFC) reactor fitted with platinum-coated carbon cloth and carbon fiber brush was used to study the effectiveness of cosmetic wastewater treatment and energy produced by halophilic bacteria. Cosmetic industrial wastewater was obtained from a cosmetic industry in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and halophilic bacteria from a desalination plant located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The analysis was conducted at various organic loads. (OL) 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 g COD/L. Initial TCOD (Total Chemical Oxygen Demand) removal efficiency at 0.5 g COD/L was 85 % with 179 mW/m2 power density. Increment in OL to 1 and 1. 5 g COD/L recorded 89 % and 91 % TCOD removal with corresponding power densities of 256 and 310 mW/m2 in ACMFC operated. Further increase in the OL to 2.5 g COD/L revealed a decrease in the TCOD reduction and energy production. The maximum electricity of 910 mV with a power density of 425 mW/m2 at 2 g COD/L and 94% TCOD removal. Columbic efficiency was 55% at 0.5 g COD/L and declined to 18% at 2.5 g COD/L OL. A maximum TSS removal of 80 % was attained at 2 g COD/L OL in ACMFC. The study revealed 2 g COD/L as the optimized OL for the potential treatment of cosmetic industrial wastewater and energy production. Analysis of the bacterial community performed with samples from the anode and sludge region revealed the presence of halophilic bacteria strains such as Thiobacillus, Acinetobacter, Geobacillus, Ochrobactrum, Stenotrophomonas, Comamonas, Sulfuricaulis, Pseudomonas, and Microbacterium. Consequently, the phylogenetic analysis of the anodic and sludge samples detailed the presence of halophilic bacterial strains. Thus, the present study concludes the efficiency of ACMFC with halophilic strains to treat cosmetic wastewater and is recommended to be employed in the wastewater treatment of the cosmetic industry. Keywords - MFC, ACMFC, Cosmetic Wastewater, COD Removal.