MICROBIAL FUEL CELL FOR PRODUCTION OF BIOELECTRICITY FROM WHEY AND BIOLOGICAL WASTE TREATMENT

Microbial fuel cell represents a new method for simultaneous waste treatment and biological electricity generation. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are devices that can use bacterial metabolism to produce an electrical current from a wide range organic substrates. In this comparative study, electricity generation with paneer whey degradation with different microorganisms was investigated in a two compartment cell without mediators in the microbial fuel cell. Microorganisms were able to utilize the carbohydrate (mainly lactose) existing in the whey for generation of bioelectricity. The open circuit potential was determined and the maximum voltage given by different organisms was estimated. The MFC was run using Klebsiella pneumonae and sewage sample. It was found that the maximum OCV of 453 mV was shown by Klebsiella pneumonae and proves to be the best organism for obtaining bioelectricity from whey.