Improvement of bioenergy generation using innovative application of food waste materials for coating carbon nanotubes-loaded bioanode in 3D-microbial fuel cells

Abstract

In this study, an innovative use of date seeds and banana peels wastes coupled with multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was applied for the first time for coating the anodic electrodes in 3D-MFCs to improve power generation. Two of identically styled and designed dual chamber 3D-MFCs were set up and operated in a continuous manner for simultaneous treatment of carwash wastewater and energy recovery. Both MFCs were packed with acid activated irregular-shaped graphite granules (ISGG) coated with MWCNTs coupled with date seeds powder in 3D-MFC1 and with banana peels powder in 3D-MFC2. The results revealed that maximum elimination efficiencies of COD, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), as well as oil and grease (O&G) were 99.4%, 99.9% and 98.2%, respectively in the 3D-MFC1 while they were 96.8%, 99.9% and 93.9%, respectively in the 3D-MFC2. Maximum power density of 1072 mW/m3 and 730 mW/m3 were observed in the 3D-MFC1 and 3D-MFC2, respectively.