Electricity Production From Food Waste Leachate Using Microbial Fuel Cell

Abstract

Nowadays, the generation of food waste is increasing dramatically with the rising population and global economic development. These wastes represent a significant source of environmental pollution and when left unprocessed, emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In the light of rapidly rising costs associated with energy supply and increasing public concerns with environmental quality, the conversion of organic wastes to energy is becoming an eco-friendly and economically attractive practice. Microbial fuel cells (MFC) are a new type of bioreactors that use microorganisms for electrochemical energy production. The present study focuses on the feasibility of bioelectricity generation in a dual chambered microbial fuel cell, using canteen based food waste leachate as a substrate. The food waste leachate was generated in an anaerobic bioreactor and its physico-chemical characteristics were analyzed. The microbial fuel cell was made up of plastic bottles, containing two chambers having a capacity of 1750 mL each and the working volume was 1500 mL. The fuel cell consists of an anode and cathode compartment. The anode chamber was anaerobic and the cathode compartment was aerobic. The electrodes used in MFC setup were made of graphite. The percentage of degradation of food waste leachate was 95.39% after 70 days. The COD removal rate per day was found to be 9.321 mg/day. A maximum voltage of 0.49 V and current of 1.67 A was obtained. Thus, this study reveals the possibilities to reduce the quantity of food waste leachate alongwith the production of bio-electricity.