Bio-Electricity Generation Using Kitchen Waste And Molasses Powered MFC

Abstract

With the energy demands all over the world, resulting in energy crises and environmental pollution, the need for alternative sources of energy has arisen. The dependence on fossil fuel is unsustainable because of its exhausting supplies and impact on environment. As a result focus is on alternative, renewable and carbon neutral energy sources which are necessary for environmental and economic sustainability. Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) are bioreactors that convert chemical energy present in the organic or inorganic compound substrates to electrical energy through catalytic reactions of microorganisms. Electricity generation from MFC using sugarcane molasses and kitchen waste as fuel was investigated in this study. A dual chambered MFC was made using readily available and cheap material. The electrodes used in the MFC were made up of aluminium mesh having a thickness of 2mm. The bacteria present intrinsically in the molasses and kitchen waste were used for the MFC operation. Samples were subjected to BOD and organic matter content analysis to determine the efficiency of the MFC with respect to waste treatment. It was observed that as the time increased, the BOD and organic matter content decreased. The nature of the microbial population seen in the waste also changed. The maximum potential established was 365 mV in the case of molasses and 260 mV in the case of kitchen waste. The MFCs using the kitchen garbage has proved to be a good way to green electricity generation as well as the recycle of organic waste to maintain a healthy and pollution free environment.