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This study investigates the use of a carbon fiber anode supplemented with activated coconut carbon in a microbial fuel cell fed by molasses decoction from yeast production to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

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What they did

System
MFC

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Abstract

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a bioelectrochemical system that generates electrical energy using electroactive micro-organisms. These micro-organisms convert chemical energy found in substances like wastewater into electrical energy while simultaneously treating the wastewater. Thus, MFCs serve a dual purpose, generating energy and enhancing wastewater treatment processes. Due to the high construction costs of MFCs, there is an ongoing search for alternative solutions to improve their efficiency and reduce production costs. This study aimed to improvement of MFC operation and minimize MFC costs by using anode material derived from by-products. Therefore, the proton exchange membrane (PEM) was abandoned, and a stainless steel cathode and a carbon anode were used. To improve the cell’s efficiency, a carbon fiber anode supplemented with activated coconut carbon (ACCcfA) was utilized. Micro-organisms were provided with molasses decoction (a by-product of yeast production) to supply the necessary nutrients for optimal functioning. For comparison, an anode made solely of carbon fibers (CFA) and an anode composed of activated carbon grains without carbon fibers (ACCgA) were also tested. The results indicated that the ACCcfA system achieved the highest cell voltage, power density, and COD reduction efficiency (compared to the CFA and ACCgA electrodes). Additionally, the study demonstrated that incorporating activated coconut carbon significantly enhances the performance of the MFC when powered by a by-product of yeast production.

Key findings

  • The use of a carbon fiber anode supplemented with activated coconut carbon (ACCcfA) improved the MFC's efficiency compared to an anode made solely of carbon fibers (CFA) and an anode composed of activated carbon grains without carbon fibers (ACCgA).
  • The molasses decoction from yeast production provided sufficient nutrients for optimal microorganism functioning, allowing for efficient energy generation.
  • The abandonment of the proton exchange membrane (PEM) and the use of a stainless steel cathode and a carbon anode reduced production costs.

Keywords

Microbial fuel cellAnodePulp and paper industryCarbon fibersWastewaterActivated carbon

Identifiers

DOI
10.3390/en17153607
Journal
Energies
Year
2024