Evaluation of the influence of organic load in direct generation of electricity in microbial fuel cells

• Grant number: 11/19799-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2012
• End date: January 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Antonio Daniel
• Grantee: Amanda Franzoni Marques
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The number of studies that seek for renewable energy sources has increased in recent years due to the unsustainability of the current array on fossil fuel based energy. This study follows the trend of search for renewable energy with the goal to analyze the influence of the organic load in the production of electricity, either directly from the effluent treatment, using it for Microbial Fuel Cells (CCM). The CCM is composed of two reactors in a single module, divided into four chambers called: anode (anaerobic), intermediate cathode (aerobic reactor) and "head space". Unlike other formats CCM, this will not employ a proton exchange membrane (MTP) because the substrate presents large solids (the basis for preparation of the substrate will wastewater) that can clog the membrane and increase the costs of maintenance. The electrodes are graphite bars, which are inserted either in the anode chamber and the cathode. The CCM will be continuously monitored for electricity generation and other variables such as voltage (mV),electric current (mA) and power (mW) generated by the CCM. The analysis of conductivity, temperature, alkalinity, COD, volatile organic acids, TS, TSS, TKN-N, N-AMON and phosphorus will be carried out. (AU)