Electricity Generation from Septic Waste Water Using Septic Tank as Microbial Fuel Cell

Akatah B. M.¹, Kalagbor I. A.^2, and Gwarah L. S.¹

¹Department of Civil Engineering Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, P. M. B. 20 Bori, Rivers State Nigeria

²Research and Development Centre, Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, P. M. B. 20 Bori, Rivers State Nigeria

Cite this paper:
Akatah B. M., Kalagbor I. A. and Gwarah L. S.. Electricity Generation from Septic Waste Water Using Septic Tank as Microbial Fuel Cell. Sustainable Energy. 2019; 7(1):1-5. doi: 10.12691/rse-7-1-1

Abstract

The use of microbial fuel cell (MFC) for electricity generation from septic waste water was carried out for 12 weeks retention period. In this study, the microbial fuel cells were designed and loaded with a 1000 Ω external load (resistor). Electrical voltage, current, power output was measured on weekly basis. Current density and power density were calculated. Wastewater qualities such as Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and pH of the raw wastewater were determined in the laboratory on weekly basis. pH values were constant (8.2) while the BOD, COD and TSS decreased. The performance of the MFC showed 92.7%, 93.9% and 98.6% reduction in BOD, COD and TSS respectively indicating that this process was efficient in the biodegradation of the septic waste water. The maximum voltage reading of 3.029V was obtained on the 6^th week but gradually decreased due to the formation of biofilm and reduction of substrate (food) in the cell. The linear correlation between voltage and the other parameters (current, current density and power density) have R² values of 0.9301, 0.9303 and 0.6274 respectively. The MFC design provides a solution for power generation from wastewater in homes. This single multistage MFC produced 3.029V of electricity which was able to power a 2.0 V LED bulb.

Keywords:
microbial fuel cell septic tank current density power density waste water

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]	Deval, A., Bhagwat, M.M. and Dikshit, A.K. “Importance of Mixed Culture in Generation of Electricity for Anaerobically Digested Distillery Waste Water through Microbial Fuel Cell”, Adv. Biores., 5 (2), 74-80. 2014.
[2]	Singh, D., Pratap, D., Baranwal, Y., Kurmar, B. and Chaudhary, R.K, “Microbial Fuel Cells: A Green Technology for Power Generation”, Annals of Biological Research, 1 (3), 128-138. 2010.
[3]	Muthu, R.V., Muthuvel, A. Narayan, K.C., and Priyanka, C.M, “Analysis and Design of Automated Electric Power Generation Unit from Domestic Waste”. Intl Journ. of Env Sec. and Dew., 1(5), 383-386. 2010.
[4]	Kim, H.J., Park, H.S., Hyun, M.S., Chang, I.S., Kim, M. and Kim, B.H, “A Mediatorless Microbial Fuel Cell Using Metal Reducing Bacterium, SheqannellaPutrefaciens”.Enzyme Microb. Tech. 30, 145-152. 2002.
[5]	Manohar, K.A., Bretschger, O., Nealson, H.K. and Mansfeld, F, “The use of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in the evaluation of the electrochemical properties of a microbial fuel cell” Bioelectrochemistry, 72(2), 149-154. 2008.
[6]	Bahan, S., Mikrob, A., Air, M. and Kultur, S. “Microbial Fuel Cells using Mixed Cultures of Wastewater for Electricity Generation”, Sains Malaysiana, 40 (9) 993-997. 2011.
[7]	Parkash, A. “Microbial Fuel Cell: A Source of Bioenergy”. J. Microb. Biochem. Technol. 8(3), 247-255. 2016.
[8]	Leton, T.G., Yusuf, M. and Akatah, B.M, “Utilization of Multistage Microbial Fuel Cell for Septic Wastewater Treatment. IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil engineering (IOSR JMCE). 13 (6): 80-86. 2016.
[9]	Bruce, E.L. Harnelers, B., Rozendal, R, Schroder, U., Keller, J., Freguia, S., Aelterman, P., Verstraete, W. and Rabaey, K, “Microbial Fuel Cells: Methodology and Technology”, American Chemical Society, 40 (17), 5181-5792. 2006.
[10]	Das, S. and Mangwani, N, “Recent Development in Microbial Fuel Cells: A Review”. Journal of Sc. and Industrial Research, 69, 1-5. 2010.
[11]	Roy, S., Marzorati, S., Schievano, A., and Pant, D., Microbial Fuel Cells. In: Abraham, M.A. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Sustainable Technologies. Elsevier, 2017. 245-259.
[12]	Logan, B.E, “Extracting Hydrogen and Electricity from Renewable Resources”, Envrion. Sc. Tech. 38, 160A-167A. 2004.
[13]	Chaturvedi, V. and Verma, P, “Microbial Fuel Cell: A green approach for the utilization of waste for the generation of bioelectricity”, Bioresour. Bioprocess 3, 1-14. 2010.
[14]	Farida, N.C, “Tapioca Waste Water for electricity generation in Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) system” in 2nd International conference on Environmental Science and Technology, IACSIT Press, 218-220. 2011.
[15]	Kumar, S. and Das, B, “Comparison of the Output Voltage Characteristics Pattern for Sewage Sludge, Kitchen Waste and Cow Dung in Single Chamber Single Electrode Microbial Fuel Cell”, Indian J. Sc. Technol. 9 (30), 1-5. 2016.
[16]	He, Z., Minteer, S.D., and Angenent, L.T, “Electricity generation from artificial wastewater using an upflow microbial fuel cell”, Environ. Sci. Technol. 39, 5262-5267. 2005.
[17]	Barua, P.K. and Deka, D, “Electricity Generation from Biowaste Based Microbial Fuel Cells”. Intl. Journal of Energy, Information and Communication, 1(1), 77-82. 2010.
[18]	Du, Z., Li, H. and Cau, T, “A State of the Art Review on Microbial fuel Cells: A Promising Technology for Wastewater Treatment and Bioenergy”, Biotechol Adv. 25, 464-482. 2007.
[19]	Vinay, S. and Kundu, P, “Biocatalysts in Microbial fuel Cells”, Enzyme and Microbial Technology 47 (5), 179-188. 2010.
[20]	Bond, D.R. and Lovely, D.R, “Electricity Production by Geobacter Sulfurreducens attached to Electrodes”. Appl. Environ. Microbial .69, 1548-1555. 2003.
[21]	Min, B., Cheng, S. and Logan, B.E, “Electricity Generation Using Membrane and Salt Bridge Microbial Fuel Cells”. Water Res, 39, 1675-1686. 2005.
[22]	Muhammad, M.J., Muhammed, A.N., Bushra, M. and Muhammad, U.A, “Production of Bioelectricity from Vegetable Waste Extract by Designing a U-Shaped Microbial Fuel Cell” Pakistan J. Zool. 49 (2), 711-716. 2017.
[23]	Zhang, F., Cheng, S., Pant, D., Bogaert, C. and Logan B.E, “Power Generation using an Activated Carbon and Metal Mesh Cathode in a Microbial Fuel Cell”, Electrochem. Commun. 11, 2177-2179. 2009.
[24]	Deng, O., Li, X., Zuo, J., Ling, A. and Logan, B.E, “Power Generation using an Activated Carbon Fiber Felt Cathode in an Upflow Microbial Fuel Cell”, J. Power Sour. 195(4), 1130-1135. 2010.
[25]	Sangeetha, T. and Muthuhumar, M, “Influence of electrode material and electrode distance on bioelectricity production from Sago-processing wastewater using microbial fuel cell” Environ. Progr. Sustain. Energy 32, 390-395. 2013.
[26]	Rabaey, K., Boon, N., Siciliano, S.D., Verheamgem, M. and Verstraete, W, “Biofuel cells select for microbial consortia that self-mediate electron transfer”, Appl. Environ. Microbial. 70, 5373-5382. 2004.
[27]	Liu, H., Ramnarayanan, R. and Logan, B.E, “Production of electricity during wastewater treatment using a single chamber microbial fuel cell” Environ. Sci. Technol. 38, 2281-2285. 2004.
[28]	Li, X.M., Cheng, K.Y and Wong, J.W.C, “Bioelectricity Production from Food Waste Leachate using Microbial Fuel Cells: Effect of NaCl and pH”, Bioresour. Technol. 149, 452-458. 2013.
[29]	Mansoorian, H.J., Mahri, A.H, Jafari, A.J., Amui, M.M, Rajabizadeh, A. and Khanjani, N, “Bioelectricity Generation using Two Chamber Microbial Fuel Cell Treating Wastewater from Food Processing” Enzyme Microb. Technol. 52, 352-357. 2013.