Electricity generation in different cell connections with optimized anodic materials in microbial fuel cells

Abstract

ABSTRACT The present study examined optimized anodic electrode materials microbial fuel cells (MFCs) with Jashore Municipal Wastewater (JMW) as substrate in series and parallel connections. Three anodic materials, Iron plate (Fe), Carbon felt (CF), and Graphite rod (GR), were used to get green energy from waste biomass in microbial fuel cells. The output voltage, current, and power density of MFC were measured to investigate the preeminent anodic electrode material. The optimized anodic electrode material was Fe owing to high voltage generation followed by CF and GR. Results further indicated that the output voltage increased, but current density, as well as power density, decreased in series connection due to the increase of internal resistance compared to parallel at Fe-Cu combination. The maximum voltage, current density, and power density in series connection were 2238 mV, 79.98 mA/m2, and 108.850 mW⁄m2, respectively. On the other hand, in parallel connection, those values were 793 mV, 248.272 mA/m2, and 115.943 mW⁄m2, respectively. Most small electrical devices need high currents rather than high voltage imply parallel connections are preferred in this regard. Moreover, Fe-Cu combination is better to remove (87%) organic matter regarding COD removal efficiency from wastewater of MFCs.