Optimization of Bioelectricity Generation in Fed-Batch Microbial Fuel Cell: Effect of Electrode Material, Initial Substrate Concentration, and Cycle Time

Abstract

Effective wastewater treatment and electricity generation using dual-chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC) will require a better understanding of how operational parameters affect system performance. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to investigate the bioelectricity production in a dual-chambered MFC-operated batch mode under different operational conditions. Initially, platinum (Pt) and mixed metal oxide titanium (Ti-TiO2) electrodes were used to investigate the influence of the electrode materials on the power generation at initial dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration of 400mg/L and cycle time of 15days. MFC equipped with Ti-TiO2 electrode performed better and was used to examine the effect of influent DOC concentration and cycle time on MFC performance. Increasing influent DOC concentration resulted in improving electricity generation, corresponding to a 1.65-fold increase in power density. However, decrease in cycle time from 15 to 5days adversely affected reactor performance. Maximum DOC removal was 90 ± 3%, which was produced at 15-daycycle time with an initial DOC of 3,600mg/L, corresponding to maximum power generation of about 7,205mW/m(2).