Recycling solid waste and bioenergy generation in MFC dual-chamber model

Abstract

In the 21st century, sustainable energy and recycling solid waste are becoming two emerging environmental challenges for many countries, especially in a land scarce country like Singapore. Inadequacy of managing energy and waste may contribute environmental issues of climate change and global warming. Everyday million tonnes of solid waste, including sewage sludge, are incinerated before being landfilled in Semakau Island. Recycling and reusing sewage sludge as feedstock in self Fabricated Microbial Fuel Cells (FMFCs) can demonstrate a potential production of sustainable electrical energy. The objective of this project is to modify a conventional Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) containing sewage sludge into a FMFC model to multiply bioelectricity generation. A stable voltage was recorded after 3 hours of equilibration time with the recorded data of 105 mV, 320 mV and 499 mV for 15 g, 30 g and 60 g respectively of sewage sludge in the anode chamber of FMFC. Effect of different pH buffer solutions in the cathode chamber of MFC was also conducted before confirming that pH of 7 resulted the highest voltage of 499 mV. In contrast, the anode chamber with pH of 9 produced the lowest range of voltage 21 mV after overnight equilibration. Four series of FMFC set- up was able to generate three to four times higher voltage of up to 1700 mV at 3 hours of equilibration time. In conclusion, a simple FMFC with a 30% increase in exposed membrane surface area and 500% increase in volume of sludge can increase the voltage production. With sustainable energy generation from sewage sludge, the project can directly minimise incineration works and also prolong the lifespan of Semakau Island. This project can be one- stop- solution in tackling global warming and energy crisis with waste recycling technology compartmentalised in a MFC model.