Electricity Generation Potential of Cow Paunch from Abattoirs in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The potential for electricity generation from cow paunch was investigated using microbial fuel cell. The cow paunch was collected from two (2) abattoirs; BOD, COD, Total Solids, Total Volatile Solids, Total Organic Carbon, pH, temperature, and electrical conductivity were evaluated. Isolation and identification of microorganisms from the cow's paunch was done. Cow paunch was used as the substrate in the anode chamber while potassium ferricyanide was used in the cathode chamber as the electron acceptor. The current and voltage generated in the set up were monitored for 21 days using a digital multimeter. Results from this experiment revealed that the highest bacterial population of 5.11 × 108 cfu/g for aerobic bacteria and 3.09 × 108 cfu/g for anaerobic bacteria was observed in Topland cow paunch. Bola cow paunch had an aerobic bacteria population of 1.01 × 107 cfu/g and a 9.83 × 106 anaerobic bacteria population. There were spontaneous increases and decreases in the voltage and current readings during the experiment. The Topland cow paunch generated the highest voltage of 942mV on day 2 and a current of 4.63mA on day 1 of the experiment. The Bola cow paunch generated its highest electric voltage of 901mV on day 9 evening of the experiment, generating its highest current of 3.04mA on day 3 afternoon of the experiment. It is concluded from the findings of this research that cow paunch has a high potential to produce electric current and voltage due to the diversity of electogenic microorganisms in them, and concurrently reduce the harmful effect of direct disposal of cow paunch on the environment.