Microbial Fuel Cell with Ni–Co Cathode Powered with Yeast Wastewater

Abstract

Wastewater originating from the yeast industry is characterized by high concentration of pollutants that need to be reduced before the sludge can be applied, for instance, for fertilization of croplands. As a result of the special requirements associated with the characteristics of this production, huge amounts of wastewater are generated. A microbial fuel cell (MFC) forms a device that can apply wastewater as a fuel. MFC is capable of performing two functions at the same time: wastewater treatment and electricity production. The function of MFC is the production of electricity during bacterial digestion (wastewater treatment). This paper analyzes the possibility of applying yeast wastewater to play the function of a MFC (with Ni–Co cathode). The study was conducted on industrial wastewater from a sewage treatment plant in a factory that processes yeast sewage. The Ni–Co alloy was prepared by application of electrochemical method on a mesh electrode. The results demonstrated that the use of MFC coupled with a Ni–Co cathode led to a reduction in chemical oxygen demand (COD) by 90% during a period that was similar to the time taken for reduction in COD in a reactor with aeration. The power obtained in the MFC was 6.1 mW, whereas the volume of energy obtained during the operation of the cell (20 days) was 1.27 Wh. Although these values are small, the study found that this process can offer an additional level of wastewater treatment as a huge amount of sewage is generated in the process. This would provide an initial reduction in COD (and save the energy needed to aerate wastewater) as well as offer the means to generate electricity.