The effect of different substrates and humic acid on power generation in microbial fuel cell operation

Electricity production from acetate, glucose and xylose with humic acid as mediator was investigated in two chambers microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Acetate produced the highest voltage (570 mV with 1000 Ω) and maximum power density (Pmaxd = 123 mW/m2) due to a simpler metabolism than with glucose and xylose. Glucose and xylose resulted in Pmaxd of 28 mW/m2 and 32 mW/m2 at lower voltage of 380 mV and 414 mV, respectively. Pmaxd increased by 84% and 30%, for glucose and xylose respectively, when humic acid (2 g/l) was present in the medium. No significant effect was found with acetate since the internal resistance possessed a limiting effect. The increase of Pmaxd due to humic acid presence was attributed to its ability to act as mediator. Even though pH decreased to 5 with glucose and xylose, due to production of acetate and propionate, the voltage remained on the same level of 250–350 mV.