Simulation of Hybrid Microbial Fuel Cell-Adsorption System Performance : Effect of Anode Size on Bio-Energy Generation and COD Consumption Rate

• Main Authors: NUR FARUNITA, MOHAMAD, Ivy Tan, Ai Wei, Mohammad Omar, Abdullah, Noraziah, Abdul Wahab, Devagi, Kanakaraju
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: UNIMAS Publisher 2024
• Subjects: TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/45110/3/Simulation%20of%20Hybrid.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/45110/; https://publisher.unimas.my/ojs/index.php/BJRST/article/view/6163; https://doi.org/10.33736/bjrst.6163.2024

Landfill leachate discharged into watercourse without proper treatment can pollute the water source due to its high chemical oxygen demand (COD). The high pollutant load in landfill leachate has become one of the potential substrates in bio-energy generation by using microbial fuel cell (MFC). MFC integrated with adsorption system has been introduced as an approach to overcome the limitation of stand-alone MFC, which is able to treat the landfill leachate more effectively while simultaneously generating bio-energy. Anode size has been reported to have a significant influence on the power generation of MFC via lab-scale experiments, however the simulation studies on MFC are still limited. This study aimed to develop a simulation model to predict the effect of graphite fiber brush anode size on the performance of a single chamber air-cathode hybrid MFC-Adsorption system, in terms of COD removal and bio-energy generation. The highest power density of 1.33 mW/m2 was achieved with 20% anode brush removed. The highest current generation of 2.37 mA and voltage of 7.11 mV was obtained with the largest anode surface area of 0.1288 m2 and resistance of 2.76 Ω. The highest COD consumption by electrogenic microorganisms was 4.96 x 10-9 Lmol/mg, and predicted to decrease with decreasing anode size. The efficiency of the simulation model could be further improved by incorporating parameters such as charge transfer kinetic at anode and cathode, adsorption effect by activated carbon as well as the substrate and microbial population behaviour. The simulation model developed was significant towards enhancing the bio-energy generation and reducing the cost of MFC for industrial application.