Electricity generation from acidogenic food waste leachate using dual chamber mediator less microbial fuel cell

The acidogenic fermentation and electrochemical performance of mediator less dual chambered microbial fuel cell (MFC) with carbon electrodes for food waste leachate was studied. COD and pH of the food waste leachate were found 135.11 g/L and 3.93 respectively at the end of 58th day of fermentation. The potassium permanganate as a cathode solution with food waste leachate was the substrate source to an anodic chamber. After electrochemical evaluation of MFC for food waste leachate, it was observed that maximum 1.12 V open circuit voltage (OCV) was obtained for the COD load of 5000 mg/L. At optimum condition, MFC gave 66.75 A/m3 of current density and 15.14 W/m3 of power density along with the substrate removal of 90% in terms of COD. It was observed that ion exchange capacity (IEC) was reduced due to membrane fouling. The Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis shows the deposition of microorganism and cations on fouled membrane, which significantly deteriorate the MFC performance. This study reveals the possibilities to reduce the quantity of food waste along with the production of bio-electricity.

► Generation of leachate by acidogenic fermentation of food waste.
► Higher power generation in multi electrodes MFC for food waste leachate as substrate.
► Maximum 90% COD removal with simultaneous power generation.