Impact of Salt on Bioelectricity Generation in a Dual-Chambered Microbial Fuel Cell Using Sago-Processing Wastewater

Effect of NaCl on electricity generation, COD removal, reduction in carbohydrate and starch contentin dual chambered, salt bridge Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) employing raw sago-processing wastewater withan organic load of 14,400 mg COD/l as substrate was evaluated. Four dual chambered MFCs were constructedand the study aimed to find out the impact of addition of NaCl which is carried out for effective MFCperformance. Isolation and identification of microbes from initial influent and final effluent was performed usingserial dilution, spread plate and selective agar techniques. Interestingly, it was found that the MFC in whichNaCl was added to its cathode chamber was best in performance compared to other three MFCs, with amaximum voltage of 603mV and current of 6.03mA. It also documented that the maximum COD removal efficiencyof 83% with a total reduction of carbohydrate and starch content from the wastewater was obtained. Utilizingsago wastewater for the production of bioelectricity from MFC technique is considered as a feasible andsustainable process.

Keywords:

Sago wastewater , NaCl , Conductivity , Power density , Internal resistance , COD removal