Production of Bioelectricity from Microalgae Microbial Fuel Cell (MMFC) Using Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Batik Wastewater

Abstract

Abstract Nowadays, the usage of batik clothes increased would make batik wastewater more desecrate the rivers in Indonesia. Batik wastewater contained much of chemical substances, so that very dangerous. One of environmentally alternatives energy that could solve this problem was Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) which utilizes organic matter as an energy source of microbes in carrying out its metabolic activities to produce electricity. MFC system with microalgae named Microalgae Microbial Fuel Cell (MMFC). In this study, it would investigate the electrical energy produced by MMFC using Chlorella pyrenoidosa as catholyte and batik wastewater as anolyte. This study aims to evaluate performance of MMFC based on the influence of yeast variations (2 gr/L and 8 gr/L), concentration of wastewater (100%v and 50%v), and number of graphite electrode (1:1 and 2:2). The methods started from culturing microalgae. Then, MMFC simulation operated for 7 days. Every 24 hours, voltage and current were measured to be processed into polarization curve. The value of absorbance and COD level of wastewater too. The results of this study showed that 100%v batik wastewater, 2:2 bars graphite electrode, and 8 gr/L yeast addition was the best results in MMFC simulation.