Generation of Bioelectricity and Simultaneous Treatment of Waste Water Using Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC)

Abstract

This era is definitely an era of renewable energy generated from resources which are naturally replenished on a human time scale. This study provides information that initiates to reveal correct mechanisms involved with electron transfer to microbial fuel cell (MFC) electrodes using two bacterial isolates. The MFC performance was successfully carried out in P. aeruginosa and E. coli microbial inoculum for 30 days. Biochemical analysis confirms the purity of the respective microorganisms. The comparative physical parameters showed E. coli as an efficient source of degradation than P. aeruginosa in Lake water for Biological oxygen demand (1.6 mg/lt), Total dissolved solids (920 mg/lt), Chemical oxygen demand (64 mg/lt) and Dissolved oxygen (0.8 mg/lt) with respect to apartment & STP waste. In contrast, the efficiency of salt degradation like nitrate (570 mg/lt), chloride (92.49 mg/lt), sulphate (1000 mg/lt) and phosphates (3200 mg/lt) calcium (0.56 mg/lt) was shown more by P. aeruginosa compared to E. coli in STP than Lake and apartment waste. Further the efficiency of microbes in degradation of waste materials and production of electricity was statistically proven with ANOVA showing the best voltage production in two samples by P. aeruginosa (419.8 mV and 380.7 mV) in lake water and apartment samples respectively. Similarly, the third sample collected from sewage treatment plant (STP) showed the maximum volt efficiency of 344.16 mV by E. coli.