Performance Evaluation of Microbial Fuel Cell with Food Waste Solution as a Potential Energy Storage Medium

Abstract

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a new source of renewable energy where wastewater is used as fuel. Various microorganisms and organic and inorganic compounds are present in wastewater. Microorganisms with various reactions produce electricity using these organic compounds. Advanced study on MFCs can bring it to practical use and reduce the over dependence on fossil fuel. But expensive proton exchange membranes (PEM), electrode material and low power generation is a big barrier towards its development. Besides the share of solid food waste in municipal waste is increasing day by day. Food waste has high number of bio-degradable compounds which can be used as the fuel of MFC. In current study, three MFCs are made with food waste solution and three different combinations of easily available electrode materials such as Copper, Zinc and Graphite. The measured voltage had its peak values between 8 to 10 hours since the experiment started. With the help of various equations, a one-dimensional single particle half-cell model was generated which was used to simulate voltage graph with respect to time. The experimental value was compared with the simulation result for each cell. The validation of experimental result was used to predict the best possible combination of electrodes in microbial fuel cell with food waste solution. Detail of this research will provide useful information on the usage of various electrode materials and food waste to be used in MFC.