Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) Technology for Household Waste Reduction and Bio-Energy Production

MFC is a bioreactor, extracts chemical energy from organic compounds, directly as electrical energy, through microbial degradation under anaerobic conditions. The main objective of the current study is to compare the degradation ability and corresponding electric potential development from different household substrates using lab scale MFC. 50hr batch experiments were conducted with household organic rich substrates like coconut water, rice starch and milk. Different concentrations of KMnO4were used as oxidizing agent in the cathode chamber. A voltage of about 300to 700mV was produced from 125ml of substrates seeded with cow dung. Coconut water and starch produced electric potential with the support of oxidizing agent KMnO4, where as the potential produced by milk found to be independent of the KMnO4concentration. The maximum electric potential developed was 762mV from coconut water at 1500mg/l KMnO4with a COD reduction of 22