Bioelectricity Generation Using Groundnut Oil Cakes In Microbial Fuel Cells: The Optimization Of Parameters

Abstract

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is state of art technique to produce electricity from organic waste. This ecofriendly way of producing electricity affected by many parameters like type of electrogene, electron acceptor, pretreatment of substrate, electrode size, electrode etc.  Here we had optimised electrogene, electrode acceptor for groundnut oil cake (GOC). In current work influence of fly ash addition in anodic chamber on electricity production was also studied. Here salt bridge which is used as the anodic and cathodic chamber separator is reused and checked for electricity generation. The study reveals that MFCs containing Escherichia coli generate an optimum electromotive force of 136mV, compare to those with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and native organisms as electrogene. The maximum power density achieved by the E. coli MFC is 249mW/m². Physical and chemical pretreatments enhance bioelectricity production by approximately 1.5 and 2 times, respectively, and their combined application results in a threefold increase, indicating superior biodegradation. NaCl and KMnO₄ prove effective catholytes and NaCl is eco-friendly too against the use of K₃[Fe(CN)₆], K₂Cr₂O₇. Additionally, the inclusion of fly ash in the MFC substantially boosts voltage and accelerates power generation, achieving a maximum power density of 480mW/m². The findings suggest that fly ash facilitates the breakdown of organic materials, enhancing cost-effectiveness. Salt bridge which is used as separator when reused first time enhances electricity generation but when reused second time its efficiency deteriorates severely. Further optimization of pretreatments and electrode materials is recommended to maximize MFC performance.