Development of microbial fuel cells and electrode designs with waste water anaerobes

Abstract

Two designs of microbial fuel cells have been developed. In the first type, a Single Chambered-Microbial Fuel Cell of 200ml capacity was constructed with the cathode and anode made of carbon brushes in a ‘T’ shaped configuration, attached in Cloth Electrode Assembly. In the second type, multiple anodes attached in a circuit, were used in developing a Multi Anode Single Chambered-Microbial Fuel Cell of 100ml capacity along with a common cathode made of graphite powder and adhesive, hardened by air drying. The generation of voltage and current was observed with both designs. Three types of substrates viz Carboxy-Methyl-Cellulose, Dextrose and Sodium Acetate were used with anaerobic micro-organisms grown from waste water. Nernst Equation have been used to calculate maximum cell voltage due to ionic reaction of sodium acetate. The main purpose of the study was to validate workability of a novel MFC design in terms of current generation and cheap materials, hence showing current generation could be increased with multiple anodes sharing a common cathode and also providing possibility for serial connectivity for increasing voltage output.