Development of microbial fuel cell for electricity generation using human wastes

Abstract

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a bio-electrochemical device that generates electricity by harnessing the natural metabolisms of microbes. The sustainable use of our resource is critical to overcoming the problem of climate change ever increasing global energy and rising shortage of fossil fuel. In recent years the use of fossil fuel, especially oil and gas has increased resulting in global energy crisis one of way to solve the ongoing global warming problem is to use green bioenergy. In the current situation energy crisis is a growing problem throughout the world, which necessitates the creation of alternative energy sources that generate less carbon dioxide and benefit the ecosystem, like the use of wastewater best solution for such challenge. The study's objectives were investigated a laboratory-based experimental work. The capacity of microbial fuel cells and the type of substrate employed were evaluated using experimental research designs.The quantity of electric current produced by wastewater during treatment was measured using an experimental approach. The cross-sectional methodology was used to inspect the capability of each three type of substrates power generation capability during the research design. Maximum Voltage output or OCV (open circuit voltage) values of 118.93 mV, 144.84 mV, and 89.76 mV are attained when the resistance is infinite for MFC1, MFC2, and MFC3, respectively. The maximum voltage production achieved in blackwater substrate it generated 144.84mV and the smallest generated from graywater it was 89.76mV.The MFC that employed graywater as a substrate produced the least amount of electricity of the three, but it was the most stable. COD reduction was highest in Blackwater waste, at roughly 87.94%, compared to 65.83 % and 80.22 % for urine and graywater waste, respectively and BOD5 removal of substrate urine, blackwater and graywater are 67.79%, 91.35% and 28.89% respectively value in the BOD reduction also blackwater substrate attained the highest reduction. This Study was discovering materials for MFC; the desire for cheaper electrode materials is creating chance MFC technology from being implemented outside of the lab. Material for the electrodes Metals such as aluminum and steel can boost power generation, and their widespread use would result in lower cost of materials. The power productions of electrodes depend on type of substrates and surface area of electrode so that MFC2 produced high yield of voltage. Generally a based on laboratory data shown that in the research use the microbial fuel cell the best option to solve problem of energy shortage for rural community.