COD Removal and Electricity Generation From Domestic Wastewater Using Different Anode Materials in Microbial Fuel Cells

Discussion

The generation of electricity can be done by using microbial fuel cell. The two chamber MFC is widely using traditional method and inexpensive. Output of the MFCs power depends upon the type of wastewater used in experiment, type of presence of bacteria in wastewater, using of electrode materials and oxidation efficiency (Liu et al., 2005). The graphical plots show that the power production rate differ based on cathode and anode material used. The amount of power generated in these systems is affected by surface area of the electrodes and the surface area of membranes (Bruce, 2006; Oh et al., 2004; Oh & Logan, 2006). In cathode chamber the ferricyanide is can be used as an electron acceptor at high concentrations. But it is restricted to use in studying laboratories and for student research. Compared to platinum – catalyst it enhances the power level by 1.5 to 1.8 times, but compared to that oxygen is more suitable for using as electron acceptor in low cost (Oh & Logan, 2006).

The material which is used as anode must have good conductive property, biocompatible and chemically stable. Metal anodes also can be used (Tanisho et al., 1989), but the toxicity of even trace copper ions to bacteria copper is not useful. The above declared properties are matched with most versatile materials of carbon products. The graphite shows low output compared with carbon because; in some graphite materials are mould with copper.