Ceramic Microbial Fuel Cell: A Cost-Effective Approach for Wastewater Treatment and Power Production

Abstract

The MFC design (electrodes, separators, etc.) and bacteria (electricigens) determines the efficiency of wastewater treatment and energy production. A crucial part of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is the separator, which divides the anode and cathode entities and makes it easier for ions to move between them. The demand for waste-driven, selective separators that are both economical and efficient in MFCs has surged in in recent years. The usage of ceramic MFC (CMFC) as a separator itself reduces the need for proton exchange membranes. To assess the ceramic microbial fuel cell's (CMFC) performance, polarization study was carried out. A maximum power density (PD) of 1.14 W/m³ was seen in the polarization curve, which suggests high proton conductivity, low internal resistance, and low oxygen transport. After acclimatization, electrical tests revealed a maximum OV of 535 mV with a CE of 23.32%. The CMFC's efficiency was at par with MFCs that had various other types of separators installed. The superior proton conductivity of CMFC enhanced its overall performance. After 30 days of operation, a decrease of 76.17% in COD was also obtained. CMFCs were 99% less expensive to fabricate than conventional separators like Nafion. The cost of fabricating CMFC was estimated to be $4.27 which verifies its potential as a cost-effective and highly efficient substitute for costly MFCs