Simultaneous power generation and Congo red dye degradation in double chamber microbial fuel cell using spent carbon electrodes

ABSTRACT

This study investigates simultaneous power generation and Congo red dye degradation in a double chamber microbial fuel cell using carbon rods obtained from spent zinc-carbon (1050-D) batteries as the electrodes. Electrochemical analyzes such as cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirm the feasibility of using spent carbon rods (SCR) as the electrodes. The effects of initial Congo red dye (anolyte) concentration (100–500 mg L⁻¹) and choice of catholyte (KMnO₄ and K₂Cr₂O₇) on the performance of the microbial fuel cell were analyzed. A maximum power density of 0.90 Wm⁻² was obtained for an anolyte concentration of 300 mg L⁻¹ of Congo red dye and a catholyte concentration of 100 mg L⁻¹ of KMnO₄. Maximum chemical oxygen demand removal of 85% and color removal of 98% were obtained under optimized conditions. The obtained results show that spent carbon rods from batteries possess excellent potential as working electrodes in a microbial fuel cell.

KEYWORDS:

• Congo red dye
• carbon rod
• microbial fuel cell
• catholyte
• power generation

Nomenclature

A	=	Area of electrode, m2.
R	=	Resistance, Ω.
I	=	current, A.
Id	=	Current density, A m−2.
Pd	=	Power density, W m−2.
V	=	Voltage, V.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Karthick Senthilkumar

Karthick Senthilkumar, has completed his M.Tech – Chemical Engineering from Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, Chennai – India and he is working as Research Scholar in the Department of Chemical Engineering, NIT Calicut, India. His research areas of interest includes Microbial fuel cell and Wastewater treatment.

Sumisha Anappara

Sumisha Anappara, has completed his Ph.D. from NIT Calicut and M Tech from NIT Trichy, India, in Chemical Engineering. Her primary area of interest includesMicrobial Fuel Cell and membranes for water treatment.

Haribabu Krishnan

Haribabu Krishnan, has completed his Ph.D. from NIT Calicut and M Tech from Annamalai University, India, in Chemical Engineering and is working as Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, NIT Calicut, India. His research area includes wastewater treatment, Microbial Fuel cell and Nano Fluids.

Palani Ramasamy

Palani Ramasamy,is working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, Indiaafter completing Ph.D. from Anna University and M Tech from Annamalai University, India. His primary area of interest includesSeparation Process, Electrochemical Engineering, and Environmental Engineering.