Energy production from mucilage biomass and reduction of azo dye in microbial fuel cells

Energy recovery is an environmentally, economically and socially acceptable approach for the management of mucilage biomass. In this study, electricity generation potential of mucilage biomass by microbial fuel cell was evaluated. Mucilage biomass was used as electron donor substrate in the anode chamber and azo dye was used as electron acceptor in the cathode chamber. The maximum power density value (16.3 mW/m2) obtained in the raw mucilage is considerably lower than the power density (57.9 mV/m2) obtained from the mucilage biomass thermochemically pre-treated at high pressure and temperature. In the cathode chamber, over 87% azo dye removal was obtained. During operation under anaerobic conditions, an increase in soluble COD was observed with electron transfer due to the simultaneous continuation of dehydrogenation and biodegradation processes in the mucilage biomass.