Generation of Bio-Electricity from Ammonia Fertilizer Plant Liquid Effluent

Abstract

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are typically designed as a two-chamber system with the bacteria in the anode chamber separated from the cathode chamber by a polymeric proton exchange membrane (PEM). Most MFCs use aqueous cathodes where water is exposed to air to provide dissolved oxygen to electrode. To increase energy output and reduce the cost of Microbial Fuel Cells, charcoal electrode (locally prepared) at the composition of 2:1 charcoal/cement ratio was used. Ammonia fertilizer plant liquid effluent was used as the substrate, while the bacteria present in the wastewater were used as the biocatalyst. The cells were operated at room temperature with pH of 6.68. The anode and cathode chambers were kept under anaerobic and aerobic conditions respectively. The cell 3 set-up with electrode area of 3.63×10 -3 m 2 was observed to have the highest power density of 134.5455mW/m 2 and current density of 181.8182mA/m 2 while cell 4 set-up with electrode area of 3.63×10 -3 m 2 was observed to have the least power density of 108.9807mW/m 2 and current density of 126.7218mA/m 2