Effect of organic loading on bioelectricity generation potential of dual-chambered microbial fuel cell treating chocolaterie wastewater

Microbial fuel cells (MFC) are recent advancements in treating wastewater and generating power simultaneously. In the present study, chocolaterie wastewater rich in organic content was the substrate in a dual-chambered MFC. Activated Carbon Fiber Felt (ACFF) electrodes (anode and cathode) were separated by Nafion 117 proton exchange membrane in the dual-chambered reactor. The primary goal was to investigate the impact of organic loading on MFC efficiency in treating chocolaterie wastewater and carrying out microbial analysis. 1, 2, 3, and 4 gCOD/L were the organic loadings of the reactor. MFC performance increased till the optimum value, and after that, it declined. A total of 2 gCOD/L was the optimum organic loading. At this optimum organic loading, dual-chambered MFC removed 79% of total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD), 70% of soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD), and 67% of total suspended solids (TSS). At 2 gCOD/L organic loading, the maximum power density was 99 mW/m(2). Coulombic efficiency was 58% at 1 gCOD/L and 30% at 2 gCOD/L organic loadings. Microbial analysis revealed the presence of Ochrobactrum and Pseudomonas sp. as dominant exoelectrogens in the anodic biofilm. These species were proven for the contaminant degradation efficiency and potential for power generation. Hence dual-chambered MFCs can treat high-strength chocolaterie wastewaters efficiently at optimum operating conditions.