Abstract
EKE B.C, NJOKU I.J, ONYEOCHA E.
Two dual chamber microbial fuel cells (MFCs) labeled MFC-A and MFC-B were fabricated with agar-agar salt bridge as the proton exchange membrane. Each of the MFCs contained wastewater gotten from an abattoir as the catholyte. The anolyte for MFC-A was potassium ferricyanide with double copper- copper electrodes while the anolyte for MFC-B was potassium permanganate with a single copper–copper electrode. Readings of voltage and current was taken for 10 to 12 hours daily for 14 days, a total of 495 hours. Also, the MFC performance was calculated in terms of various parameters such as Biological oxygen demand (BOD), total dissolved salts (TDS), pH, conductivity and temperature. MFC-A showed a maximum voltage output of 1.812v while MFC-B showed a maximum of 1.718v. The BOD removal efficiency of MFCs A and B was calculated as 78.33% and 72.67% respectively. MFC-A showed an average value of 1.643v on the last day of observation while MFC-B showed an average value of 1.531v on the 14th day. An MFC generates electricity from wastewater. The voltage generated in an MFC is independent on the number of electrodes used, potassium ferricyanide gives a better result than potassium permanganate. BOD removal efficiency increases with the number of electrodes used.
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