Tubular microbial fuel cells (Tube-MFCs) were placed on top of a biotrickling filter-microbial fuel cell (BTF-MFC) to form a tubular biotrickling filter microbial fuel cell (Tube-BTF-MFC) system. Adding TubeMFCs greatly increased the power output of a Tube-BTF-MFC in treating ethyl acetate (EA). With a progressive water flow pattern generated by circulating water spray, the Tube-MFC can reduce the sharing of electrolyte between anode chambers of MFCs and improve the power output of Tube-BTFMFC. With 129.8 g/m(3). h of EA, the Tube-BTF-MFC exhibited an EA removal efficiency of 93% and a closed circuit voltage (186.5 mV). The maximum elimination capacity of EA by the Tube-BTF-MFC was 1.47 times greater than that of the BTF-MFC, while the highest generated power density was 2.13 times greater. Adding Tube-MFCs to a BTF-MFC system can effectively improve its removal efficiency for EA and increase its power output. The proposed Tube-BTF-MFC can be used to treat industrially emitted gaseous volatile organic compounds while generating electricity. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.