Alkalinity of Cassava Wastewater Feed in Anodic Enhance Electricity Generation by a Single Chamber Microbial Fuel Cells

This study was demonstrated that the alkaline feeding in the anode chamber could enhance the electricity generation from a single chamber microbial fuel cell (SCMFC). The SCMFC was operated in batch mode. The substrate was cassava wastewater from a flour factory in Roi-Et province, Thailand and the concentration of COD value was controlled between 1,086. 50.06 mg/L. The pHs were varied from acidicity (pH 5.0 and 6.0), neutral (pH 7.0) and alkalinity (pH 8.0 and 9.0) by adding NaOH. The temperature was controlled at 30 degrees C. The maximum power density could be generated to 22.19 W/m(3) from pH feed at 9.0. Whereas at pH feed of 8.0, the second highest power density at 16.70 W/m(3) was gained. The maximum efficiency of COD removal (92.83 +/- 1.37%) was obtained from pH of 8.0. The maximum of coulombic efficiency (CE) was 47.8% which was obtained from pH feed of 9.0. The alkalinity feed enhanced the power generation by increasing the alkalinity and conductivity in the anode chamber more than other feeds. It was also found that the pH feed which was nearly close to neutral would enhance the wastewater treatment by SCMFC.