Energy Generation From Corn Starch Effluent Using Microbial Fuel Cell Using Lead Electrodes

Abstract

Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) is a promising alternative energy sources from organic wastes. MFC technology converts energy stored in organic compounds to electricity. This work investigated the viability of corn starch effluent as substrate (fuel) for bio-energy generation using MFC with the aid of Soldering Lead as electrodes. A dual chamber MFC was developed. Two plastic containers were used to house the anode and cathode solutions with PVC pipe serving as the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) casing. The anodic chamber was charged with corn starch effluent mixed with a buffer solution while the cathode chamber contained Potassium ferry cyanide (K₃Fe(CN)₆) solution, a conductive material. The output currents and voltages were measured using digital multi-meter (DT 9205D). The maximum current and voltage achieved is 0.11 mA and 0.78 V. The highest power density and current density was 10.64 mW/cm² and 14.00 mA/cm² respectively. The results (current, voltage, current and voltage density) were found to be relatively improved as compared to previous studies. Conclusively, household and agricultural organic wastes materials could possibly find usefulness as a clean source of energy for powering portable electrical appliances subject to erratic electricity supply and in off-grid environs.