Microbial Fuel Cell a Reliable Source for Recovery of Electrical Power from Synthetic Wastewater

Abstract

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were successfully used as a biological process to remove organic load from synthetic wastewater. Electricity was produced via oxidation of biodegradable organic matter in the presence of active biocatalyst. The system was able to generate clean energy at high efficiency. Wastewater contained organic compound used as substrate in the anaerobic chamber of MFC. The chemical energy generated sufficient electrons which were passed through a resistance to identify current density and liberate electric power as energy source. Acetone as biodegradable substrate with concentration of 3g.l^-1 was introduced as carbon source in the anode chamber of the MFC. The mixed culture of living microorganisms originated from a biological treatment unit used for anaerobic degradation of organic substrate. The inoculums were supplied by an up flow anaerobic hybrid reactor, a pilot scale bioreactor used for treating pulp and paper wastewater. In this course of treatment, once chemical oxygen demand was removed the current and power was generated while data were recorded via online acquisition system. Also polarization curve was obtained for each set of experiment. In cathode compartment several concentration of ferocynide and potassium permanganate were added to obtain the optimal concentration of oxidizing agents in the cathode chamber. At concentration of 300 μM potassium permanganate, the maximum power and current generated were 22 mW.m^-2 and 70 mA.m^-2, respectively.