Abstract
Microbial fuel cells are presented as the promise of technology to generate electricity by using organic waste. In this research, molasses waste from Laredo Agroindustrial Company was used as fuel, as well as graphite and zinc electrodes, managing to build low-cost cells. It was possible to generate voltage and current peaks of 0.389 ± 0.021 V and 1.179 ± 0.079 mA, respectively. The cells showed that acid pH levels and conductivity values were around 100 mS/cm during the period of the highest bioelectricity generation. The maximum power density was 3.76 ± 0.62 W/cm2 for a current density of 247.55 mA/cm2, showing a peak voltage of 0.459 ± 0.52 V. The yeasts showed a logarithmic phase up to day 25 reflecting an increase in cell growth. Microbial fuel cells are projected to be the most viable solution for organic waste and clean energy generation problems.
Highlights
The main source of energy for economic and social development in the past century was fossil fuels
microbial fuel cells (MFC) can operate at room temperature and atmospheric pressure (Hemalatha et al, 2020); it is possible to use a wide range of substrates, such as soil sediments, organic waste, among others
Molasses is among these substrates that can be used in MFCs
Summary
The main source of energy for economic and social development in the past century was fossil fuels. Within the development of energy alternatives, we find the energy obtained from biomass that represents a source of sustainable and renewable production in the future (Do et al, 2020) This is how microbial fuel cells (MFC) emerge, which have gained great attention due to their capacity to generate energy from organic or inorganic compounds through microorganisms (Das, 2017). MFCs can operate at room temperature and atmospheric pressure (Hemalatha et al, 2020); it is possible to use a wide range of substrates, such as soil sediments, organic waste, among others Molasses is among these substrates that can be used in MFCs. Molasses is among these substrates that can be used in MFCs This is an important by-product resulting from the refinement of sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum). This substrate has great potential for power generation, for its high content of fructose and glucose, and is readily available (Liang et al, 2020)
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