Performance analysis of electrode materials (activated carbon and carbon butts) in microbial fuel cells using domestic wastewater
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Date
MAY, 2015
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Abstract
The study investigated the performance of activated carbon from palm kernel shells
and carbon butts as electrode materials in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) with faecal
sludge and grey water as inoculum sources. It particularly sought to examine the power
generation and wastewater treatment potential of the selected electrode materials when
applied in the MFC technology. The motivation for this work is as a result of the
growing demand for decentralized power generation and wastewater treatment
systems especially for rural household and schools. The study was conducted through
the examination of performance data from MFCs operating with the selected electrode
materials and inoculum through the application of electrical, electrochemical and
biochemical techniques. The study established that faecal sludge and grey water
formed efficient biofilms containing electrogenic bacteria such as Geobacter sp. which
initiates substrate oxidation for the release of electrons to the electrode material. It
further established that activated carbon from palm kernel shells can be efficiently
applied in MFCs since it generated power densities of up to 1.74W/m3 which is
comparable to the carbon paper (standard) by up to 86%. Carbon butts were inefficient
in MFCs generating negligible power densities of up to 0.001W/m3. Also organic
substrate removal efficiencies of up to 72% were achieved by MFCs operating with
the activated carbon.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY
May, 2015