The effect of salt concentration on brackish sediment Microbial Fuel Cells

This research aimed to study the effect of salt level on Brackish Sediment Microbial Fuel Cells (SMFCs) regarding the electrical energy generated. Sediments and solutions were taken from the brackish pond in Hutan Kota, Tibang, Banda Aceh City. Although several studies examining the effect of salt content in SMFCs have been carried out, salt usually was added gradually. Meanwhile, salt in this research was directly varied into specific amounts since the first day. The salt level was varied by adding traditional salt found on the local market into sediments and solutions in 0.0%, 1.0%, 2.5%, and 5.0% w/w. Spiral-shape stainless steel wires having 1.25 mm in diameter and 1.1 m in length were used as electrodes. The results showed that the addition of salt into the sediment produced higher electrical energy than the addition into the solution. The most significant electric power density generated by adding 1.0% salt into only the sediment was 18.621x10(-3 )W/m(2). On the other hand, the highest electric power density generated by adding 1.0% salt into the solution was only 6.395x10(-3) W/m(2). Meanwhile, when salt was added into the sediment and solution simultaneously, the higher electric power density was 20.850x10(-3) W/m(2), which is found by adding 1.0% salt into the sediment and 2.5% into the solution. (C) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.