In order to investigate the effects of electrode factors on electricity production and wastewater treatment in microbial fuel cell, a new anaerobic fluidized bed microbial fuel cell (AFB-MFC) was designed. The effects of various cathodes made from different materials, areas of cathode and anode, the distance between the bottom of cathode and the bottom of cathode chamber on the performance of electricity production and wastewater treatment in AFB-MFC were studied. All experiments were operated at the conditions with the aeration rate of 16~24 L/h in cathode chamber, the recirculation flow of 10.7 L/h,the influent flow of 0.6 L/h,the external resistance of 250 Ω and the COD concentration of 3000.98~3789.44 mg/L in influent. It was found that carbon paper was the best one for cathode among carbon paper, copper, aluminum, galvanized iron and iron, all having a size of 15.0 cm×3.5 cm. The optimum distance between the bottom of cathode and the bottom of cathode chamber was 17.3~20.3 cm. The optimal anode area was 160.0 cm2 when carbon papers with an area of 308.8, 232.0, 160.0 and 76.8 cm2 were used for anode. The best cathode area was 210.0 cm2 when carbon papers with an area of 241.5, 210.0, 175.0 and 105.0 cm2 were served as cathode. About 80.00% of COD could be efficiently removed under the optimal operation conditions for AFB-MFC system. The AFB-MFC system which was scaled up is conducive to the practical engineering application in the future.
