Urea fuel cell using cow dung compost soil as a novel biocatalyst for power generation applications

This paper shows use of cow dung compost soil as a biocatalyst to optimize the urea fuel concentrations in the range of 0.1 g/ml to 0.5 g/ml in cow dung compost microbial fuel cells (CC-MFCs). The results indicate that the CC-MFC with the urea fuel concentration of 0.4 g/ml produces the maximum power. Moreover, the bacterial population plays a vital role in electricity generation. For constant cell operation and cell sustainability, it must be refuelled with the catalyst after every 12 h cycle and the max power density was generated 17.84mW/m(2) by CC-MFC. This study confirms for the first time that cow dung compost directly works as a noval biocatalyst. Here primary focus is to generate power through soil processes using urea-rich wastewaters (urine) as fuel. CC-MFCs are inexpensive, non-toxic, leakage proof, low maintenance, less labour intensive, durable, stable, easily disposable, sustainable, and efficient. Moreover, these fuel cells can generate clean energy without biocatalyst deactivation. Research is going on fabrication and development of CC-MFC for application depend upon the type of urea rich urine wastewater used as fuel for power generation and cleaning the environment. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the use of cow dung compost as a biocatalyst to optimize urea fuel concentrations in CC-MFCs, with the results showing that the highest power density is achieved at a urea fuel concentration of 0.4 g/ml. The bacterial population is crucial for electricity generation, and regular refuelling with the catalyst is necessary for cell sustainability and operation.