Development of Microbial Fuel Cell Using Distillery Spent Wash: Evaluation of Current Generation and COD Removal with Respect to pH

Abstract

A single chamber microbial fuel cell (SCMFC) was operated with distillery spent wash (DSW) wastewater and microorganisms in cow-dung as inoculum source from pH 4 to 9. MFC signifies maximum current in the sequence of pH 6 (0.46 mA) > pH 7 (0.4 mA) > pH 8-9 (0.16-0.19 mA); whereas the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removed in order of pH 8-9 (80-81%) > pH 7 (79%) > pH 6 (68%). The losses in coulombic yield were due to alternating electron acceptors and air diffusion through the reactor. The polarization curve yielded the maximum current density of 84 mA/m and maximum power density of 29 mW/m at an external resistance 22 of 820 (pH 6). The cyclic voltammetry (CV) demonstrated 3-electron transfer process with best electrochemical responses at pH 6 and 7. The MFC at desired operating conditions showed a positive response for bioelectricity generation.