Design, construction, and testing of generation of electric energy using microbial fuel cell

Abstract

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a bio-electrochemical system that converts chemical energy from organic compounds/renewable energy sources to electrical energy/bio-electrical energy through microbial catalysis at the anode under anaerobic conditions. The process is becoming an attractive and alternative methodology for the generation of electricity. The scope of this paper was to design, construct, and test microbial fuel cells that source their fuel from organic waste, using microbial fuel cells to power LED lights. The research concluded that microbial fuel is a prospective energy source for future electricity that can be produced and used by all consumers. Single Chamber Microbial fuel cells were set up using material readily available around i.e. the slurry and, in the market, i.e. the other materials, in batches. The studies showed that the single chamber MFC can produce a maximum voltage of over 500mV and can last for a minimum of two and half months. Out of the 30 MFCs produced 18 of them which produce stable and progressive voltage were connected in series in the frame. The whole setup successfully powered five red LED lights. This shows that more of the MFCs set up can produce more electricity such as that can power a control system.