| Peer-Reviewed

Assessment of Energy Production by Using Microbial Fuel Cells Substrate of Domestic Wastewater Development of the Renewable Energy

Received: 29 August 2023    Accepted: 19 September 2023    Published: 9 October 2023
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

Biodegradable materials are used in microbial fuel cells to produce energy when microbes are present. Large amounts of organic material found in wastewater can be oxidized in MFCs to provide power. 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 goals of the study were examined through laboratory-based experimentation. The capacity of microbial fuel cells and the type of substrate employed were evaluated using experimental research designs. Experimental methods were used to determine the amount of electric current generated by wastewater during treatment. Maximum Voltage Output or OCV (open circuit voltage) values of 118.93 mV, 144.84 mV, and 89.76 mV are attained for MFC1, MFC2, and MFC3, respectively, when the resistance is infinite. 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 urine waste, at roughly 65.83%, compared to 56.69% and 58% for blackwater and graywater waste, respectively and BOD5 removal of substrate urine, blackwater and graywater are 67.79%, 69.18% and 28.89% respectively value. MFC 2 had the highest maximum power output, with a value of 0.00655 W/cm2 equating to 0.00453A/cm2 of current. It found the following values for the other fuel cells: 0.00442 W/cm2, and 0.00251 W/cm2, corresponding to current values of 0.00372 A/cm2, and 0.00281 A/cm2 are respectively value of MFC1 and MFC3 are respectively value.

Published in American Journal of Energy Engineering (Volume 11, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajee.20231103.13
Page(s) 84-99
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Bacteria, Electricity, Electrode, Microbial Fuel Cell, Power, Substrate, Voltage, Wastewater

References
[1] Aberra, D. and Fufa, F. (2016) ‘Bioenergy Production from Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Sewage Sludge and Abattoir Wastes’, Advances in Chemical Engineering and Science, 06 (03), pp. 281–287. doi: 10.4236/aces.2016.63028.
[2] Amani, T., Nosrati, M. and Sreekrishnan, T. R. (2010) ‘Anaerobic digestion from the viewpoint of microbiological, chemical, and operational aspects - A review’, Environmental Reviews, 18 (1), pp. 255–278. doi: 10.1139/A10-011.
[3] Andriani, D. et al. (2015) ‘A review of recycling of human excreta to energy through biogas generation: Indonesia case’, Energy Procedia, 68, pp. 219–225. doi: 10.1016/j.egypro.2015.03.250.
[4] Ansori, A. et al. (2019) ‘Environmentally Friendly Power Generation Technology with Solar PV-Biogas in Rural Areas of Eastern Java’, IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 239 (1). doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/239/1/012030.
[5] Bhargavi, G., Venu, V. and Renganathan, S. (2018) ‘Microbial fuel cells: Recent developments in design and materials’, IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 330 (1). doi: 10.1088/1757-899X/330/1/012034.
[6] Bose, D. et al. (2019) ‘Bioelectricity generation and biofilm analysis from sewage sources using microbial fuel cell’, Fuel, 255 (April), p. 115815. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2019.115815.
[7] Cheng, K. Y. (2009) ‘Bioelectrochemical systems for energy recovery from wastewater’.
[8] Chhazed, A. J., Makwana, M. V. and Chavda, N. K. (2019) ‘Microbial fuel cell functioning, developments and applications-a review’, International Journal of Scientific and Technology Research, 8 (12), pp. 3620–3633.
[9] Cynthia, C. (2014) The Green Latrine : Development of a Large Scale Microbial Fuel Cell for the Treatment of Human Waste in Developing Areas.
[10] Fan, L., Shi, J. and Xi, Y. (2020) ‘Pvdf-modified nafion membrane for improved performance of mfc’, Membranes, 10 (8), pp. 1–13. doi: 10.3390/membranes10080185.
[11] Ferrera, I. and Sánchez, O. (2016) ‘Insights into microbial diversity in wastewater treatment systems: How far have we come?’, Biotechnology Advances, 34 (5), pp. 790–802. doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2016.04.003.
[12] Ferriday, T. B. and Middleton, P. H. (2021) ‘Alkaline fuel cell technology - A review’, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 46 (35), pp. 18489–18510. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.02.203.
[13] Flimban, S. G. A., Ismail, I. M. I., Kim, T., Oh, S.-E. (2019) ‘Review Overview of Recent Advancements in the Microbial Fuel Cell from Fundamentals to Applications ’:, Energies, 12 (339), pp. 1–20.
[14] Flimban, S. G. A. et al. (2019) ‘Overview of recent advancements in the microbial fuel cell from fundamentals to applications: Design, major elements, and scalability’, Energies, 12 (17). doi: 10.3390/en12173390.
[15] Gajda, I., Greenman, J. and Ieropoulos, I. (2020) ‘Microbial Fuel Cell stack performance enhancement through carbon veil anode modification with activated carbon powder’, Applied Energy, 262 (December 2019), p. 114475. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.114475.
[16] Ghasemi, M. et al. (2012) ‘Polysulfone composed of polyaniline nanoparticles as nanocomposite proton exchange membrane in microbial fuel cell’, American Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 8 (4), pp. 311–319. doi: 10.3844/ajbbsp.2012.311.319.
[17] Gude, V. G. (2016) ‘Wastewater treatment in microbial fuel cells - An overview’, Journal of Cleaner Production, 122, pp. 287–307. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.02.022.
[18] Hall, J. L. (1987) Cell components, Phytochemistry. doi: 10.1016/s0031-9422(00)82398-5.
[19] He, Z. et al. (2006) ‘An upflow microbial fuel cell with an interior cathode: Assessment of the internal resistance by impedance spectroscopy’, Environmental Science and Technology, 40 (17), pp. 5212–5217. doi: 10.1021/es060394f.
[20] K faris & Alemayehu (2002) ‘Human and Other Liquid Waste Management’, Ethiopia public health training initiative, (November), p. 19.
[21] Kalathil, S., Patil, S. A. and Pant, D. (2018) Microbial fuel cells: Electrode materials, Encyclopedia of Interfacial Chemistry: Surface Science and Electrochemistry. Elsevier Inc. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-409547-2.13459-6.
[22] Khaloufi, Y. El and Elasli, A. (2019) ‘Microbial fuel cells for electricity generation’, (April), pp. 22–29. Available at: http://www.aui.ma/sse-capstone-repository/pdf/spring-2019/MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS FOR ELECTRICITY GENERATION.pdf.
[23] Khatoon, H. et al. (2017) ‘Role of microbes in organic carbon decomposition and maintenance of soil ecosystem’, International Journal of Chemical Studies, 5 (6), pp. 1648–1656. Available at: http://www.chemijournal.com/archives/2017/vol5issue6/PartW/5-6-133-734.pdf.
[24] Kirchman, D. L. (2013) Degradation of organic material, Processes in Microbial Ecology. doi: 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199586936.003.0005.
[25] Li, J. (2013) ‘An experimental study of microbial fuel cell’, 2013 (September), pp. 171–178.
[26] M. C. Potter (1911) Electrical effects accompanying the decomposition of organic compounds, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Containing Papers of a Biological Character. doi: 10.1098/rspb.1911.0073.
[27] Md Khudzari, J. et al. (2018) ‘Bibliometric analysis of global research trends on microbial fuel cells using Scopus database’, Biochemical Engineering Journal, 136, pp. 51–60. doi: 10.1016/j.bej.2018.05.002.
[28] Mustakeem (2015) ‘Electrode materials for microbial fuel cells: Nanomaterial approach’, Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy, 4(4), pp. 1–11. doi: 10.1007/s40243-015-0063-8.
[29] Naina Mohamed, S. et al. (2020) ‘Bioelectricity generation using iron (II) molybdate nanocatalyst coated anode during treatment of sugar wastewater in microbial fuel cell’, Fuel, 277 (February), p. 118119. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2020.118119.
[30] Najmi, H. (2018) ‘Selectivity of Porous Composite Materials for Multispecies mixtures : Application to Fuel Cells Hussain Najmi To cite this version : HAL Id : tel-01897425 Selectivity of Porous Composite Materials for Multispecies mixtures : Application to Fuel Cells PhD ’.
[31] Nenov, V. et al. (2017) ‘Application of bio-electrochemical methods in water treatment, resource recovery’, Journal of Materials and Environmental Science, 8 (7), pp. 2327–2338.
[32] O’Hayre, R. P. (2018) ‘Fuel cells for electrochemical energy conversion’, in EPJ Web of Conferences, p. 00011. doi: 10.1051/epjconf/201818900011.
[33] Pappis, I. et al. (2021) ‘Influence of Electrification Pathways in the Electricity Sector of Ethiopia—Policy Implications Linking Spatial Electrification Analysis and Medium to Long-Term Energy Planning’, in Energies, p. 1209. doi: 10.3390/en14041209.
[34] Pinto, D. (2017) ‘Electronic transfer within a microbial fuel cell. Better understanding of Experimental and Structural Parameters at the Interface between Electro-active Bacteria and Carbon-based Electrodes To cite this version : HAL Id : tel-01481318 Université Pierre e’.
[35] S. Bakhri (2015) Domstic wastewater treatment adavace technology method, thesis, p1-167.
[36] Sch, C., Stenstr, T. A. and Control, I. D. (2005) Guidelines for the safe use of urine and faeces in ecological sanitation systems, Journal of Indian Water Works Association.
[37] Schönning, C. (2001) Urine Diversion - Hygienic Risks and Microbial Guidelines for Reuse, Who. Available at: http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&btnG=Search&q=intitle:Urine+diversion+?+hygienic+risks+and+microbial+guidelines+for+reuse#0.
[38] Sevda, S. et al. (2015) ‘Microbial desalination cells as a versatile technology: Functions, optimization and prospective’, Desalination, 371, pp. 9–17. doi: 10.1016/j.desal.2015.05.021.
[39] Singh, L. and Kalia, V. C. (2017) ‘Waste biomass management - A holistic approach’, Waste Biomass Management - A Holistic Approach, pp. 1–392. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-49595-8.
[40] Tawil, I. H. et al. (2008) Fuel cells –the energy key of future Review and Prospective Study, First conference and exhibition on renewable and energies and water desalination technolgoies.
[41] Teoh, T. P. et al. (2020) ‘Up-flow constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell: Influence of floating plant, aeration and circuit connection on wastewater treatment performance and bioelectricity generation’, Journal of Water Process Engineering, 36(March), p. 101371. doi: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2020.101371.
[42] Ullah, Z. and Zeshan, S. (2020) ‘Effect of substrate type and concentration on the performance of a double chamber microbial fuel cell’, Water Science and Technology, 81 (7), pp. 1336–1344. doi: 10.2166/wst.2019.387.
[43] UN-Water (2021) Summary Progress Update 2021 : SDG 6 — water and sanitation for all. Available at: https://www.unwater.org/new-data-on-global-progress-towards-ensuring-water-and-sanitation-for-all-by-2030/.
[44] Wang, Y. et al. (2019) ‘Electricity generation, energy storage, and microbial-community analysis in microbial fuel cells with multilayer capacitive anodes’, Energy, 189, p. 116342. doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2019.116342.
[45] Wang, Y. K. et al. (2017) ‘In situ utilization of generated electricity for nutrient recovery in urine treatment using a selective electrodialysis membrane bioreactor’, Chemical Engineering Science, 171, pp. 451–458. doi: 10.1016/j.ces.2017.06.002.
[46] Winterbourn, C. C. and Kettle, A. J. (2013) ‘Redox reactions and microbial killing in the neutrophil phagosome’, Antioxidants and Redox Signaling, 18 (6), pp. 642–660. doi: 10.1089/ars.2012.4827.
[47] Zuzul, J. (2017) ‘Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture MASTER ’ S THESIS’, p. 145.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Tensay Kifle, Esayas Alemayehu, Chali Dereje Kitila. (2023). Assessment of Energy Production by Using Microbial Fuel Cells Substrate of Domestic Wastewater Development of the Renewable Energy. American Journal of Energy Engineering, 11(3), 84-99. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajee.20231103.13

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Tensay Kifle; Esayas Alemayehu; Chali Dereje Kitila. Assessment of Energy Production by Using Microbial Fuel Cells Substrate of Domestic Wastewater Development of the Renewable Energy. Am. J. Energy Eng. 2023, 11(3), 84-99. doi: 10.11648/j.ajee.20231103.13

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Tensay Kifle, Esayas Alemayehu, Chali Dereje Kitila. Assessment of Energy Production by Using Microbial Fuel Cells Substrate of Domestic Wastewater Development of the Renewable Energy. Am J Energy Eng. 2023;11(3):84-99. doi: 10.11648/j.ajee.20231103.13

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ajee.20231103.13,
      author = {Tensay Kifle and Esayas Alemayehu and Chali Dereje Kitila},
      title = {Assessment of Energy Production by Using Microbial Fuel Cells Substrate of Domestic Wastewater Development of the Renewable Energy},
      journal = {American Journal of Energy Engineering},
      volume = {11},
      number = {3},
      pages = {84-99},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajee.20231103.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajee.20231103.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajee.20231103.13},
      abstract = {Biodegradable materials are used in microbial fuel cells to produce energy when microbes are present. Large amounts of organic material found in wastewater can be oxidized in MFCs to provide power. 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 goals of the study were examined through laboratory-based experimentation. The capacity of microbial fuel cells and the type of substrate employed were evaluated using experimental research designs. Experimental methods were used to determine the amount of electric current generated by wastewater during treatment. Maximum Voltage Output or OCV (open circuit voltage) values of 118.93 mV, 144.84 mV, and 89.76 mV are attained for MFC1, MFC2, and MFC3, respectively, when the resistance is infinite. 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 urine waste, at roughly 65.83%, compared to 56.69% and 58% for blackwater and graywater waste, respectively and BOD5 removal of substrate urine, blackwater and graywater are 67.79%, 69.18% and 28.89% respectively value. MFC 2 had the highest maximum power output, with a value of 0.00655 W/cm2 equating to 0.00453A/cm2 of current. It found the following values for the other fuel cells: 0.00442 W/cm2, and 0.00251 W/cm2, corresponding to current values of 0.00372 A/cm2, and 0.00281 A/cm2 are respectively value of MFC1 and MFC3 are respectively value.},
     year = {2023}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Assessment of Energy Production by Using Microbial Fuel Cells Substrate of Domestic Wastewater Development of the Renewable Energy
    AU  - Tensay Kifle
    AU  - Esayas Alemayehu
    AU  - Chali Dereje Kitila
    Y1  - 2023/10/09
    PY  - 2023
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajee.20231103.13
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajee.20231103.13
    T2  - American Journal of Energy Engineering
    JF  - American Journal of Energy Engineering
    JO  - American Journal of Energy Engineering
    SP  - 84
    EP  - 99
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2329-163X
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajee.20231103.13
    AB  - Biodegradable materials are used in microbial fuel cells to produce energy when microbes are present. Large amounts of organic material found in wastewater can be oxidized in MFCs to provide power. 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 goals of the study were examined through laboratory-based experimentation. The capacity of microbial fuel cells and the type of substrate employed were evaluated using experimental research designs. Experimental methods were used to determine the amount of electric current generated by wastewater during treatment. Maximum Voltage Output or OCV (open circuit voltage) values of 118.93 mV, 144.84 mV, and 89.76 mV are attained for MFC1, MFC2, and MFC3, respectively, when the resistance is infinite. 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 urine waste, at roughly 65.83%, compared to 56.69% and 58% for blackwater and graywater waste, respectively and BOD5 removal of substrate urine, blackwater and graywater are 67.79%, 69.18% and 28.89% respectively value. MFC 2 had the highest maximum power output, with a value of 0.00655 W/cm2 equating to 0.00453A/cm2 of current. It found the following values for the other fuel cells: 0.00442 W/cm2, and 0.00251 W/cm2, corresponding to current values of 0.00372 A/cm2, and 0.00281 A/cm2 are respectively value of MFC1 and MFC3 are respectively value.
    VL  - 11
    IS  - 3
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Department of Water Resource and Irrigation Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, Gambella University, Gambella, Ethiopia

  • Department of Water Supply and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia

  • Department of Water Supply and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia

  • Sections