Generation of Electricity from Abattoir Waste Water with the Aid of a Relatively Cheap Source of Catholyte

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The generation of electricity from high strength abattoir waste water has been demonstrated to be feasible at room temperature using a novel electron acceptor as catholyte in dual-chambered microbial fuel cell systems with agar-salt bridge inter-connection. The utilization of this electron acceptor in the single dualchambered and double dual-chambered in parallel and series was observed to produce an open circuit voltage of 1560mV, 1400mV and 2860mV respectively. Maximum power density was observed to be 12.26mW/m 2 , 20.71mW/m 2 for the single dual-chambered and double dual-chambered in parallel respectively. However, due to very high internal resistance of the double dual-chambered in series (>9999Ω) a very poor polarization data was obtained. Current densities at maximum power for the single dual-chambered and double dual-chambered in parallel were observed to be 16.09mA/m 2 and 35.77mA/m 2 with internal resistances 4000Ω and 600Ω respectively. The application of this novel catholyte for power generation in MFC's systems has the potential of regeneration thus, sustaining its utility for long periods. It was concluded that for large scale applications, MFC's systems utilizing this novel catholyte as electron acceptor, connection in parallel would be preferable, because of the high open circuit voltage, reduced internal resistance and high current density achieved from such connections. @ JASEMThe quest for alternative sources of energy is pertinent at this period of our history when concerns about global warming are causing topical and sensitive debate worldwide. It is a well known fact that energy can be transformed from one form to the other, for example, mechanical energy can be converted to electrical energy, and so on. One novel process which seems to have confirmed this statement in recent times is the microbial fuel cell technology. This technology has the capability of transforming chemical energy stored up in organic matter to direct current

Abattoir Wastewater Treatment and Energy Recovery Using a Ferricyanide-Catholyte Microbial Fuel Cell

“…The maximum OCV generated in this study was low when compared to the report of Momoh and Naeyor [18] but higher than that of Adeleye and Okorondu [16]. This low OCV will translate to low power density [7].…”

“…This low OCV will translate to low power density [7]. The possible cause of the low OCV and current readings observed in this study may be as a result of the high strength abattoir wastewater which has an COD of 9350 mg/l used in the set-up and poor utilization of the graphite anodes [18]. Also, H shape or dual chamber MFC has high internal resistance [7] which may have contributed to the low OCV.…”

Effects of Novel Substrates in electricity generation in a mediator-less microbial fuel cell

“…The microbial fuel cell voltage for the five-set ups was monitored daily using a digital multi-meter (ALDA, DT-830D) (Azunna et al, 2014). Voltage and current readings were done within few minutes of stabilization (Momoh and Neayor, 2010). Ohm's law (I=V/R) was applied to calculate the current and power density (P d ) calculated using: P d =(VI)/A, where, V is the voltage, I is the current and A is the surface area (Kassongo and Togo, 2011).Power density is a function of power output (VI).…”

Effect of Sodium Alginate on Proton Conductivity of Cassava Starch in a Microbial Fuel Cell

“…Power density as expressed was normalized to the projected surface area of the graphite anode (m 2 ). Power density P was analyzed according to Equation (1) (Momo and Nyeayor, 2010;Rabaey and Verstraete, 2005 …”