Low Level Electricity Production and COD Removal in Wastewater Using a Dual Chamber Microbial Fuel Cell with Pseudomonas Fluorescens as Biocatalyst

Abstract

Urbanization intensifies global energy crisis and contributes largely to environmental pollution. The use of microbial fuel cell (MFC) helps in addressing both problems. This study aims to construct a low-cost MFC which simultaneously produce low level electricity and has the capacity to lower chemical oxygen demand in wastewater. The MFC used various carbon sources and copper wire as electrodes. Variation in voltages were observed using various carbon sources in solution. The microbial fuel cell utilizing P. fluorescens was able to produce voltage of more than 800 mV in fermented rice and more than 1000mV for both sewage sludge and kitchen sink wastewater substrates. It was also observed that the COD reduction was seen in different types of wastewater.