Current Generation from Microbial Fuel Cell Using Stainless Steel Wire as Anode Electrode

Abstract : Anode electrode in a microbial fuel cell (MFC) should transfer the receiving electron as well as provide large surface area that can be immobilized microorganisms. Microorganisms’ population is one of important factors to improve the current generation and to treat the livestock wastewater by biological treatment. These studies were attempted to investigate if stainless-steel wire skein (SSWS) could be used as anode electrode replacement a graphite felt electrode in microbial fuel cell. For these studies, pretreated livestock wastewater was used diluted to 500 mg/L as COD before use. At this time, the current showed a little difference of about 5% when using each of a SSW and graphite felt (control). There was no significant difference in the current value. The organic removal rate in the microbial fuel cells used graphite felt and SSWS was 82.4% and 88.3%, respectively. The COD removal in the MFC used the SSWS was higher than that of graphite felt. Ammonium nitrogen was showed similar trend in two case all. These results about current generation and organic matter reduction seem possible that SSWS was used to anode electrode. When SSWS is used, the initial investment for system construction is expected to be able to reduce by approximately 1/50.