• Davinder P. Sharma
• Geenesh R. Basdeo
• Kieran Ganga
• Makaya Howard
• Nicholai Corbie

Many studies have investigated the effect of electrode size/material, polymer exchange membrane (PEM) performance and organic substrate choice in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) separately. Optimization of the MFC for energy generation involves the manipulation of the latter architectural components in terms of cost, performance, availability and reliability. This paper aims to investigate the voltage generated by five individual dual chamber MFCs, each chamber of capacity 150ml, and thus determine the optimal electrode and membrane configuration, and additionally the best organic substrate for electricity generation. Five duel chamber MFCs were setup, each with varying electrode sizes and materials such as platinum-boron (Pt-B), platinum-carbon (Pt-C) and aluminium (Al). Three types of wastewater samples (from residential area, farm and swamp) were used to provide the organic substrate. Testing was carried out by recording the output voltage of each cell hourly over a period of three days. This was done for two membranes (Nafion 117 and 115) per sample. From testing (both membranes), it was observed that the electrode assembly of 8x4 Al: 2x2 Pt-B and 8x4 Al: 2x2 Pt-C produced the highest voltages. The electrode assembly of 2x2 Pt-B: 2x2 Pt-C produced the most stable results whereas the Al: Al electrode assemblies produced inconsistent but fair voltages. The MFC with Nafion 117 provided better results as compared to Nafion 115. The residential sample produced the most stable results throughout the six days of testing compared to the other samples. From the analysis of data obtained during this study, it was found that the electrode assembly of 2x2 Pt-B: 2x2 Pt-C with Nafion 117 membrane and residential sample is optimum MFC configuration for energy generation.

Microbial Fuel Cell, Optimization, Energy Generation, Polymer Exchange Membrane, Nafion, Wastewater.

"Optimization of Microbial Fuel Cell for Energy Generation", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 5, page no.963-976, May-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1905S44.pdf

"Optimization of Microbial Fuel Cell for Energy Generation", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 5, page no. pp963-976, May-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1905S44.pdf