sagar project report (2)

Treatment and energy recovery from high BOD/COD

wastewater with Microbial Fuel Cell based technology

(UDP)

A PROJECT REPORT

Submitted by

SAGAR DIVETIYA (110990135013)

Guided by

Mr. Manoj Kumar Department of Environmental Science and Technology

Shroff S. R. Rotary Institute of Chemical Technology

In fulfillment for the award of the degree

of

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING

in

Environmental Science and Technology Academic Year 2014 - 2015

Shroff S.R. Rotary Institute of Chemical Technology

Vataria, Valia, Bharuch

Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad

MAY, 2015

Treatment and energy recovery from high BOD/COD wastewater

with Microbial Fuel Cell based technology

(UDP)

A PROJECT REPORT

Submitted by

SAGAR DIVETIYA (110990135013)

AYUSHI SHARMA (110990135007)

SANKET RAI (110990135012)

YASH KAPADIA (110990135011)

Guided by

Mr. Manoj Kumar Department of Environmental Science and Technology


In fulfillment for the award of the degree

of


in

Environmental Science and Technology Academic Year 2014 - 2015

Shroff S.R. Rotary Institute of Chemical Technology

Vataria, Valia, Bharuch

Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad

MAY, 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CERTIFICATE FROM COLLEGE i

CERTIFICATE FROM GTU PROJECT SITE ii

PLAGIARISM REPORT iii

UNDERTAKING ABOUT ORIGINALITY OF WORK iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT v

ABSTRACT vi

LIST OF TABLES vii

LIST OF FIGURES viii

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

ix

CHAPTER 1

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

INTRODUCTION

Problem summary

Objectives of the project

Brief literature review

Materials and equipment required

1 – 4

1

1

1

4

CHAPTER 2

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

METHODOLOGY AND PROJECT STRATEGY

Project initiation

Defining objectives

Literature survey strategy

Experimental setup construction

Microbial culture/Inoculum preparation

Salt bridge preparation

5 - 14

5

5

5

10

12

13

2.7

2.8

2.9

2.10

Operating pH and temperature

Initial experimentation strategy

Final experimentation strategy

Analysis & reporting

13

13

14

14

CHAPTER 3

3.1

3.2

3.3

IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECT WORK

Initial observations

Synthetic wastewater trial results

Distillery wastewater trial

15 - 24

15

17

22

CHAPTER 4

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

4.5

OUTCOMES OF PROJECT WORK

Result summary

Project objectives achieved

Advantages of work

Usefulness of the MFC based wastewater treatment with

respect to existing solutions

Scope of future work

25 - 26

25

25

26

26

26

LIST OF REFERENCES

27 - 31

1

2

3

APPENDIX

Periodic Progress Reports (PPR)

Business Model Canvas (BMC) and its Report

Patent Drafting Exercise (PDE)

32

P a g e | i


ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

2015

CERTIFICATE

Date:

This is to certify that the dissertation entitled “Treatment and energy recovery from high

BOD/COD wastewater with Microbial fuel cell based technology” has been carried out by

Sagar Divetiya (110990135013) under my guidance in fulfillment of the degree of Bachelor

of Engineering in Environmental Science and Technology (8th Semester) of Gujarat

Technological University, Ahmedabad during the academic year 2014-15.

Internal Guide:

Mr. Manoj Kumar

Mr. Manoj Kumar

Head of Department

Environmental Science and Technology


Vataria, Bharuch

GUJARAT TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITYCERTIFICATE FOR COMPLETION OF ALL ACTIVITIES AT ONLINE PROJECT PORTAL

B.E. SEMESTER VIII, ACADEMIC YEAR 2014-2015

Date of certificate generation : 25 May 2015 (16:03)

Plagiarism Search Report

Final Project Report

Patent Drafting Exercise (PDE)

Business Model Canvas (Report)

Business Model Canvas (Image)

Submitted Four Periodic Progress Reports (PPR)

Uploaded

Uploaded

Completed

Uploaded

Uploaded

Completed

This is to certify that, Sagarkumar Jyotindrakumar Divetiya

(Enrolment Number-110990135013) working on project entitled

with Treatment And Energy Recovery From High BOD/COD

Waste Water With Microbial Fuel Cell Based Technology from

Environmental Science & Technology department of Shroff S R

Rotary Institute Of Chemical Technology, At & Po: Vataria,

Bharuch had submitted following details at online project portal.

Name of Student :

Signature of Student :

Sagarkumar Jyotindrakumar

Divetiya

*Signature of Guide :

Name of Guide : HOD_099_35

This is a computer generated copy and does not indicate that your data has been evaluated. This is the receipt

that GTU has received a copy of the data that you have uploaded and submitted as your project work.

Disclaimer :

*Guide has to sign the certificate, Only if all above activities has been Completed / Uploaded.

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CHAPTER: 1 INTRODUCTIONProblem summaryWorld is facing various environmental and energy issues nowadays. Researcher around the world are trying to findthe solutions of these global issues. Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a technology which has potential to shot two target with one arrow. In other words, this technologycan solve both the problems with its endless possibilities. It is hard to say right now when MFCs will be implemented on a large scale at treatment plants. SinceMFCs are a relatively new technology, the time required to fully develop them depends on the level of investment and quality of research. MFC research becomesdifficult as expertise required in various field of science and engineering like environmental engineering, material science, electrochemistry, instrumentation,biochemistry, biology, physical chemistry, etc.In Indian scenario it is a big question of feasibility of the wastewater treatment and energy generation using microbialfuel cell based technology. Indian researchers have done initial research on this noble technology but still there is long way to go. It is really important to think aboutwhere to start to make this technology for commercial implementation. As the complexity of the technology is too high, precise understanding must be there forimplementation of the technology.Objectives of the projectIn order to address problem mentioned above about the understanding and feasibility of MFC technologyfor wastewater treatment and simultaneous energy recovery, following are the objectives of this project.Construction of specific experimental setup forMFC.Implementation of precise methodology and evaluation of the same.Selection and preparation of mixed consortia for MFC.Optimization of feed wastewaterCOD for maximum voltage generation.Evaluate effect of surface area of electrode on electricity generation.Analyze COD reduction of distillery wastewaterAnalyzevoltage generation of distillery wastewaterCheck feasibility of the technology on distillery wastewaterDetermine future scope and scale up possibilitiesMaterials andequipment requiredTable 1.1: Materials and equipment requiredSr.No.Chemical RequiredPurpose of use Quantity requiredAvailability at SRICT labsPrice1NH4ClFor the preparation of Synthetic wastewater for inoculation of microbes5 gYesÿ2KH2PO42 gYesÿ3K2HPO42 gYesÿ4MgCl23 gYesÿ5CoCl21 gNo609 r / 500g6ZnCl21 gYesÿ7CuCl21 gYesÿ8CaCl21 gYesÿ9MnCl21 gYesÿ10Glucose20 gYesÿ11AgarSalt bridge20 gYesÿ12KClÿ10 gYesÿ13NaClÿ20 gYesÿSr. No.Testes tobe performedApparatus1COD by open reflux methodCOD apparatus & Glassware2MLVSSWhatman filter 42, Oven, Muffle furnaceSr. No.Miscellaneous1Marinesediments2Activated sludge3Distillery/sugar wastewater4Centrifuge (palletization)CHAPTER: 2 METHODOLOGY AND PROJECT STRATEGYProject initiationIdeaof a project was initiated with the need of addressing two major global issues of waste management and energy crisis. By the in depth search, one single solutionfound called "Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC)". Though it was in very initial state but has the potential to overcome these two crisis. Highly biodegradable wastewater hasthe potential to generate electricity through microbial fuel cell based technology.Defining objectivesThe project was initiated with the thought of making it as simpleas possible, by using lesser chemicals, by using cheaper components like electrode, etc. to be able to understand the working of MFC even at very basic conditions.Because of the complexity of this project it is important to fulfill very basic objectives like producing electricity and reducing COD of wastewater. Objectives aredefined in that manner.Literature survey strategyIn order to first understand this technology and its application to wastewater treatment, one must perform in depthliterature survey including research papers, online survey, books, articles, etc. Project complexity lies in the vast area of expertise required to completely understandthis technology as discussed before.In India there are handful of people who are working on this technology, though many researches has been published butcommercial applications will be initiated only with wastewater having highest BOD/COD ratio like distillery, food industry, brewery industry, etc. Though thewastewater of above industry is already generating power through anaerobic biomenthanation / digestion technology but MFC is much faster alternative to theanaerobic digestion biomethanation technology with respect to steps involved in energy production and continuous operation.Microbes and their activity is reallycomplex to understand. Microbial culture will decide the overall working of MFC. Very in-depth understanding is necessary to apply precise methodology. It is verythoughtful to survey literature having wastewater treatment as one of their objectives. One of the objective of this project is to construct a cost-effective MFCtherefore search will be focused on cost-effective configurations.Figure 2.1: Ideation CanvasFigure 2.2: Product Development Canvas (PDC)Experimental setupconstructionSetup is designed to state the cost-effective basic design, keeping in mind that the project is the initial efforts to reveal the potential of the MFCtechnology for wastewater treatment. Setup is to be constructed from inert material avoid inhibition of microbial activity. For that purpose material of construction isacrylic with the silicone as sealant.It was really necessary to gain considerable output even at very first attempt, volume of MFC is decided to be 1.5 liter eachchamber. Dimensions are determined such that the electrodes and inlet outlet can be positioned. From the literature survey, solid graphite electrodes are foundcheap at the same time efficient as well.Figure 2.3: MFC setup ConstructionTwo types of graphite electrode are used for the variation in surface area to study theeffects of surface area on electricity generation. One of the electrode is made up of pencil graphite lead and another is graphite hollow tube. Figure 2.5: Hollowgraphite tube electrode 200 cm2For the easy pouring and removal of the salt bridge, at a same time keeping the lower distance between electrode salt bridge isconstructed as shown in figure.Figure 2.6: Salt bridge Anaerobic chamber has a lid and gasket arrangement to completely seal the chamber so that anaerobicsystem can be maintained. Lid is having holes for pouring wastewater and electrode wire. But sealed with silicone after placing feed pipe and wire. For the removalof wastewater tap is given at the bottom. Aerobic chamber is open and have air sparger and electrode.Figure 2.7: Constructed SetupFigure 2.8: AssembledSetupMicrobial culture/Inoculum preparationMicrobes are the most important part of the MFC, because without selective enrichment of microbial culture, MFC won'twork efficiently. From the literature survey it is found that mixed microbial consortia from marine sediments, activated sludge or anaerobic digester biomass givesmaximum output in MFC after some pretreatment.Inoculum is prepared by the following method, pond sediments (from the deep down bottom ensuring anaerobic

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microbes present) and activated sludge is taken to centrifuge at 5000 rpm and 22 øC. It washed thrice with saline buffer (2g NaCl, 0.30 g K2HPO4, 0.084 g KH2PO4in 250ml of distilled water, pH 7.0) and centrifuged each time at same rpm. The pellet remains at bottom after washing away raffinate. It was in enriched in syntheticwastewater consists of 0.5 g/l NH4Cl, 0.25 g/l KH2PO4, 0.25 g/l K2HPO4, 0.3 g/l MgCl2, 25 mg/l CoCl2, 11.5 mg/l ZnCl2, 10.5 mg/l CuCl2, 5 mg/l CaCl2, 15 g/lMnCl2, 3 g/l Glucose, pH 5.5, COD 3.4 g/l.During the enrichment bottles are kept closed to provide aseptic anaerobic microenvironment at 10 rpm, roomtemperature and acidophilic pH 5.5 is maintained to sustain acidogenic (hydrogen producing) bacteria, which also inhibits the activity of methanogenic bacteria inreturn which will enhance the hydrogen production, highly required for MFC operation.Now pretreatment of the enriched synthetic wastewater is done by heat shocktreatment at 100øC for 2hour and then pH 3 is adjusted by 88% orthophosphoric acid and let it remain for 24h. This treatment will completely inhibit the growth ofmethanogenic bacteria. Meanwhile hydrogen producing bacteria will form a cyst to sustain at such high temperature. In this manner rich mixed microbial culture isprepared for MFC. Before use in MFC prepared inoculum is subjected to pH adjustment to 7.0 ñ 0.5 under complete anaerobic microenvironment.Figure 2.9: Flowdiagram of inoculation processSalt bridge preparationSalt bridge is made of agar + salt. 100ml of distill water is taken in 250ml beaker and put on the heating at80øC, now 0.1g KCl is added as a salt and dissolved. Provide continuous stirring and add 5 g agar slowly until the viscosity of the solution rich to solidify.Cottonplugs are placed to the two side opening of the salt bridge casing pipe and solution is immediately poured in to it from middle opening as shown in figure. Let it beuntil the agar salt bridge is solidified completely. For 2 to 3 hours. Now salt bridge is ready for operation.Operating pH and temperatureDuring the operation pH ismaintained at 7.0 ñ 0.5. Decrease in pH will reduce the output voltage. Whole project experimentation is carried out at room temperature i.e. 25 ñ 5 øC. Initialexperimentation strategyInoculum is first filled in anaerobic chamber. Initial trails will be done on synthetic wastewater by changing COD concentration each day.COD concentration is changed by removing old wastewater by settling and letting sludge as it is. COD concentration is optimized to give maximum output voltage.Surface area of electrodes is also changed by changing electrode during one of the trial operation for checking effect of surface area of electrodes on voltagegeneration. Wastewater COD is varied by varying concentration of glucose in synthetic wastewater.Final experimentation strategyFinal experimentation is done onthe distillery wastewater to check the feasibility of treatment. It is diluted to achieve optimum COD concentration. Experimentation is done till the first voltage drop.COD is measured on daily basis along with the voltage. Wastewater is not changed during the whole operation. Initial and final biomass concentration arerecorded.Analysis & reportingCOD analysis is done by the standard open reflux method.Biomass is measured by MLVSS concentration by standard method.Voltageis measured by standard multimeter of sensitivity up to 1 mV.Readings are recorded on daily basis and graphs for distillery wastewater trial of Voltage (mV) vs. timein days% COD reduction vs. time in daysVoltage (mV) vs. % COD reductionCHAPTER: 3 IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECT WORKFigure 3.1: ProjectexperimentationInitial observationsProject implementation was initiated with the construction of specific experimental setup to serve the purpose. Setup wasconstructed from 10mm thick acrylic sheets for light weight and better handling and sealed completely with silicone sealant to avoid any leakage. Both the chambersare connected by `T' shaped pipe for salt bridge. It is also sealed properly to avoid any leakage in salt bridge to one of the chambers.Inoculation is done using twosources of mixed consortia, as mentioned in some of the literature. Pond/Marine sedimentsActivated sludgeFigure 3.2: Preparation of mixedconsortiaObservations:Activated sludge failed since microbes were not that efficient as of pond sediments. Mixed consortia prepared from pond sediments workedexcellently.Salt bridge is a cheaper alternative of proton exchange membrane and last for 30days minimum. But it must be prepared from pure agar. (Must not bemisunderstood with nutrient agar).Table 3.1: Comparison of cost of PEM and Salt bridgeItemCostProton exchange membrane2260 Rs. for 10mm x 10mmAgar + salt(for salt bridge)1200 Rs. for 250g (enough for 50 trials)Synthetic wastewater trial resultsTrial 1: Voltage generationCOD: 3400 mg/lBiomass: 3000 mg/lOperating pH:7.0 ñ 0.5Time (h)Voltage (mV)023157263365464562Table 3.2: Trial 1 results Figure 3.3: Trial 1 graph: voltage vs timeObservations: Acclimatization of microbes forelectricity generation.Successful execution of first trial as voltage generation is possible.Trial 2: increase subtract COD: 5000 mg/l(Other conditions as mentionedabove)Time (h) Voltage (mV)050157268372475575Table 3.3: Trial 2 results Figure 3.4: Trial 2 graph: voltage vs timeObservations:Voltage output increased but notsignificantlyBiomass concentration increased by 20%.Trial 3: Change electrodeCOD: 10000 mg/l(Other conditions as mentioned above)Electrode changed (surfacearea increase) after 3 h. Pencil lead electrode: 65 cm2Hollow graphite electrode: 200 cm2Table 3.4: Trial 3 resultsTime (h) Voltage (mV)Current æAPoweræW067281.876193413.8132112566.2723129729.288415411217.248515711618.212Figure 3.5: Trial 3 graph: voltage vs timeFigure 3.6: Trial 3 graph: power vstimeObservations:Significant increment in power outputElectrode surface area is varied by changing electrode type. It is observed that lower surface area giveslower power output and vice versa.Trial 4: increase subtractCOD: 15000 mg/l(Other conditions as mentioned above)Time (h) Voltage(mV)011211342169317341875189Table 3.5: Trial 4 result Figure 3.7: Trial 4 graph: voltage vs timeObservation:Voltage increased from 3rd trial.Trial 5: Higher CODloadCOD: 20000 mg/l(Other conditions as mentioned above)Time (h)Voltage (mV)012511412156318341825180Table 3.6: Trial 5 result Figure 3.8: Trial 5 graph:voltage vs timeObservation:At higher load of COD voltage output does not change from previous trial.From above 5 trials optimum COD range is 10000 to 15000mg/l. Distillery wastewater trialInitial COD 14400 mg/l (diluted from original sample)Initial pH: 4Operating pH: adjusted 7.0 ñ 0.5Temperature: 25 to 30 øC (RoomTemperature)Table 3.6: Distillery wastewater trial resultObservation table:Sample calculation: COD (mg/L) = (A-B)*N*8*1000 / ml of sample taken.Where, A= ml ofFerrous ammonium sulphate used for blank. B= ml of Ferrous ammonium sulphate used for sample. N= normality of ferrous ammonium sulphate. 8= milliequivalentweight of oxygen.Figure 3.9: Distillery wastewater graph: voltage vs timeFigure 3.10: Distillery wastewater graph: time vs %COD reductionFigure 3.11: Distillerywastewater graph: voltage vs %COD reductionCHAPTER: 4OUTCOMES OF PROJECT WORK Result summaryMicrobial fuel cell is really amazing technology forwastewater treatment. By the experimentation, it is clear that MFC technology will grow in future. There are many types of MFC designs are possible but salt bridgeMFC is proved to be best for the initial laboratory experimentation. It won't be wrong to say that even the methodology followed was cost effective and ecofriendly. Itis possible to generate power and mediator less MFC is also feasible.From the literature, it was found that ASP sludge can be used to prepare inoculum but itsefficiency is too low. Pond (marine) sediments are found to be the best as it has nearly no cost and gives considerable output but proper methodology should befollowed in order to selectively enrich mixed consortia.It was really necessary to optimize the feed COD concentration for maximum electricity generation.Overloading the COD will make microbes unable to sustain and decrease voltage output. Whereas lower COD may not give desired output. In the syntheticwastewater trials, it was observed that 10000 to 15000 mg/l COD is optimum for maximum power output. For that purpose, distillery (industrial) wastewater is dilutedto 14400 mg/l COD from its original concentration.Synthetic wastewater trial also reveals the idea of increasing surface area of electrode. The lower surface areayields lower power output and higher surface area yields higher power output generation. It also increases current density.Distillery wastewater trial: From the graphof voltage vs time (days). It is observed that at the very first stage of 4 days microbes start to acclimatize then microbial growth occur. From the day 6 to 9 voltageremain almost constant. From the graph of %reduction in COD vs Time in days. It is observed that initially COD reduction was moderate for first two days then itbecame rapid as the microbial growth occur. After 8 days of operation COD becomes almost constant till 12th day. Operation was stopped after 12 days since nochange in COD of Wastewater and voltage dropped. From the graph of %COD reduction vs voltage (mV), it seems there is a linear relation between COD reductionof wastewater and voltage generation. But it is found from the literature survey that relation is influenced by other factors, for example, there is microbial metabolismcalled anabolism in which electron produced are used in their own cell growth.Experimentation done on the industrial (distillery) wastewater reveals the secret offeasibility of treatment and energy production through small but can be improve by further research.Project objectives achievedMicrobial fuel cell based wastewatertreatment is effective even though negligible chemicals are used during operationMethodology synthesized for the experimentation by taking reference of literature isproved to be successful even though the complexity in understanding MFC operationPond/Marine sediments works successfully for preparing mixed consortia formicrobial fuel cell.It is observed that according to MFC build, 10000 to 15000 mg/l COD is found optimum for maximum power generation.Surface area of electrodeplays important role in obtaining power output.Considerable COD reduction is observed for industrial (distillery) wastewaterVoltage generation was considerable butpower output in unrecoverable- can be enhanced by further research and optimizationMicrobial fuel cell based treatment of wastewater is found feasible on distillerywastewaterPower output is found considerable but it is not enough for commercial recovery device- can be enhanced by further research and optimization. Scale up



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for capacity plant will be possible too.Advantages of workMicrobial fuel cell is still at its very initial stage though researchers have taken their interest in thistechnology. Work done through this project will open the world of endless possibilities. Due to amateur understanding in the field, it was really difficult to initiate.Though this project is a very small step but it will be the motivation and solid base for future projects on the same field.Usefulness of the MFC based wastewatertreatment with respect to existing solutionsDistillery and sugar industry wastewater is not actually wastewater because it is used for agricultural purpose and forbiomethanation through anaerobic digestion. But anaerobic technology for energy generation has its own disadvantages like, it has many intermediate steps. ButMFC technology will eliminate this undesired steps for electrical energy generation. Now it is hard to say when MFC technology will become viable enough toreplace existing solutions but in near future it might become possible that MFC Technology will coexist with other technologies.Scope of future workThere is veryhuge scope of work is possible in the field of microbial fuel cell. There is researches are but there are still many things that can be improved. It will take many yearsto become viable technology. To take this work further, researches in following area can be done.MFC configuration: there are many types of MFC configurationsare possible.Air cathode MFC will no longer require air sparger, ideal for scale up and electricity generation.Other wastewater parameters can be measured sincetreatment covers more than COD as a parameter.More specialized and designed strain of microbes can be employed for better performance.Research is possibleon different types of wastewaterProton exchange membrane increases the efficiency of MFC which will be ideal for scale up and commercialuse.APPENDIXPeriodic Progress Reports (PPR)Business Model Canvas (BMC) and its ReportPatent Drafting Exercise (PDE)

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P a g e | iv

UNDERTAKING ABOUT ORIGINALITY OF WORK

We hereby certify that we are the sole authors of this IDP/UDP project report and that neither

any part of this IDP/UDP project report nor the whole of the IDP/UDP Project report has been

submitted for a degree by other student(s) to any other University or Institution.

We certify that, to the best of our knowledge, the current IDP/UDP Project report does not

infringe upon anyone’s copyright nor violate any proprietary rights and that any ideas,

techniques, quotations or any other material from the work of other people included in our

IDP/UDP Project report, published or otherwise, are fully acknowledged in accordance with

the standard referencing practices. Furthermore, to the extent that we have included

copyrighted material that surpasses the boundary of fair dealing within the meaning of the

Indian Copyright (Amendment) Act 2012, we certify that we have obtained a written

permission from the copyright owner(s) to include such material(s) in the current IDP/UDP

Project report and have included copies of such copyright clearances to our appendix.

We have checked the write up of the present IDP/UDP Project report using anti-plagiarism

database and it is in the allowable limit. In case of any complaints pertaining to plagiarism, we

certify that we shall be solely responsible for the same and we understand that as per norms,

University can even revoke BE degree conferred upon the student(s) submitting this IDP/UDP

Project report, in case it is found to be plagiarised.

Team:

Enrolment number Name Signature

110990135013 Sagar Divetiya

110990135007 Ayushi Sharma

110990135012 Sanket Rai

110990135011 Yash Kapadia

Place: Date:

Mr. Manoj Kumar, EST, SRICT Signature of Guide

P a g e | v

ABSTRACT

Energy and waste management are two crisis that world is facing nowadays. A

Microbial fuel cells (MFC) is a collective solution of these two crisis. MFC

converts energy of chemical bond of biodegradable compound into electricity

with the help of microorganisms. MFC technology has very wide range of

applications but very recent researches are more focused on wastewater

treatment and biosensor technology.

There are many types of MFCs are made but among all those 2-chamber

H-type MFC is used in study because it is best for preliminary experimental

purpose. MFC works on the same principle as Fuel Cells. The anoxic anode

chamber is connected internally to the cathode chamber via an ion exchange

membrane or salt bridge with the circuit completed by an external wire.

The project report contains experimental setup construction, setup run

prerequisites and results. Salt bridge is considered for Experimental setup.

In whole project we are aiming to check treatability of industrial

wastewater and review of benefits of MFC technology for wastewater treatment

and simultaneous energy generation.

The report presents the study done to understand various aspects of design

and operation of MFC and how it is implemented to make an experimental setup

of MFC as well as feasibility and benefits of MFC technology for wastewater

treatment.

P a g e | vi

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Success of any project depends on the dedication and sincere hard work. It also requires some

essentials like motivation, guidelines, encouragement, positive attitude, good observation and

time.

We would like to express our gratitude to Mr. Manoj Kumar (Head of Department,

Environmental Science and Technology) for giving us the opportunity to pursue the

engineering project under his guidance as a partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree

of Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Science and Technology).Besides our lacking

basic knowledge and skills, he made it possible for us to polish our some of the weaknesses

and directed us to minimize the gap between theory and practical knowledge and skills.

We would like to thank Dr. V.K. Srivastava (Professor, Department of Environmental

Science and Technology) without whom the project would not have literally seen light of the

day. He has given us a taste of real flavor of engineering and industrial experiences. He has

shared his knowledge and experiences to enhance our understanding about actual scenarios and

practices carried out in industries to sustain in this competitive and ever-changing world. He

has given us the way an engineering project should be performed.

We would also like to acknowledge our institute Shroff. S. R. Rotary Institute of

Chemical Technology for giving us the support we needed for successful performance of

project. We are thankful to Mrs. Pratibha Gautam (Assi. Prof., EST), Mr. Urvij Dave (Assi.

Prof. EST), Mr. Krunal Majmudar (Assi. Prof. EST), Miss. Rajeshwari Prajapati (Lab. Assi.,

EST), Miss. Hirva Joshi (Lab. Assi. EST) and Mr. Akshay Rana (Lab. Assi., EST) for their

extraordinary support in our institute.

Finally we apologize all other unnamed personnel who helped us in various ways in

our project work.

Sagar Divetiya (110990135013)

Ayushi Sharma (110990135007)

Sanket Rai (110990135012)

Yash Kapadia (110990135011)

P a g e | vii

LIST OF TABLES

Table No Table Description Page

No

1.1 Materials and equipment required 4

3.1 Comparison of cost of PEM and Salt bridge 16

3.2 Trial 1 results 17





3.7 Distillery wastewater trial results 22

P a g e | viii

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure

No

Figure Description

Page

No

1.1 Principle of Microbial fuel cell 3

2.1 Project I timeline 6

2.2 Project II timeline 7

2.3 Ideation Canvas 8

2.4 Product Development Canvas (PDC) 9

2.5 MFC setup Construction 10

2.6 Pencil lead electrode 65 cm2 11

2.7 Hollow graphite tube electrode 200 cm2 11

2.8 Salt bridge 11

2.9 Constructed Setup 12

2.10 Assembled Setup 12

2.11 Flow diagram of inoculation process 13

3.1 Project experimentation 15

3.2 Preparation of mixed consortia 15

3.3 Trial 1 graph : voltage vs time 17

3.4 Trial 2 graph: voltage vs time 18


3.6 Trial 3 graph: power vs time 19



3.9 Distillery wastewater graph: voltage vs time 23

3.10 Distillery wastewater graph: time vs %COD reduction 23

3.11 Distillery wastewater graph: voltage vs %COD reduction 24

P a g e | ix

LIST OF SYMBOLS, ABBREVIATIONS AND NOMENCLATURE

Symbol Name Abbreviations

MFC Microbial fuel cell

BEC Bio electrochemical cell

V Volt

I Current

ppm Parts per milliions

PEM Proton Exchange Membrane

PTM Proton Transport Mechanism

P a g e | 1

CHAPTER: 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Problem summary

World is facing various environmental and energy issues nowadays. Researcher around the

world are trying to find the solutions of these global issues. Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a

technology which has potential to shot two target with one arrow. In other words, this

technology can solve both the problems with its endless possibilities.

It is hard to say right now when MFCs will be implemented on a large scale at treatment

plants. Since MFCs are a relatively new technology, the time required to fully develop them

depends on the level of investment and quality of research. MFC research becomes difficult as

expertise required in various field of science and engineering like environmental engineering,

material science, electrochemistry, instrumentation, biochemistry, biology, physical chemistry,

etc.

In Indian scenario it is a big question of feasibility of the wastewater treatment and

energy generation using microbial fuel cell based technology. Indian researchers have done

initial research on this noble technology but still there is long way to go. It is really important

to think about where to start to make this technology for commercial implementation. As the

complexity of the technology is too high, precise understanding must be there for

implementation of the technology.

1.2 Objectives of the project

In order to address problem mentioned above about the understanding and feasibility of MFC

technology for wastewater treatment and simultaneous energy recovery, following are the

objectives of this project.

1. Construction of specific experimental setup for MFC.

2. Implementation of precise methodology and evaluation of the same.

3. Selection and preparation of mixed consortia for MFC.

4. Optimization of feed wastewater COD for maximum voltage generation.

5. Evaluate effect of surface area of electrode on electricity generation.

6. Analyze COD reduction of distillery wastewater

7. Analyze voltage generation of distillery wastewater

8. Check feasibility of the technology on distillery wastewater

9. Determine future scope and scale up possibilities

1.3 Brief literature review

A technology using microbial fuel cells (MFCs) that convert the energy stored in

chemical bonds in organic compounds to electrical energy achieved through the catalytic

reactions by microorganisms has generated considerable interests among academic researchers

in recent years. MFCs have very wide range of applications like electricity generation from

selected subtract, bio hydrogen generation, wastewater treatment, biosensor for monitoring and

analytical purpose. Produced electrical energy can be used to power home appliances, to power

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small instruments in far areas to reach, and mega plant can be used to supply electricity to

power grids. Project is focused on wastewater treatment using MFC.

Wastewater treatment using microbial fuel cell technology may lead us to the

sustainable tomorrow. In the Penn State lab using a batch mode (repeated cycles of liquid

replacement) MFC, they have achieved up to 1.5 watts per meter squared of electrode surface

area. Using a continuous flow MFC, they have recorded values around 15.5 watts per cubic

meter of household wastewater flowing through it. It is also estimated that a wastewater

treatment plant serving 100,000 people or a large industrial plant could produce around 0.8

megawatts, which is enough to power about 500 homes. It is hard to say right now when MFCs

will be implemented on a large scale at treatment plants. Since MFCs are a relatively new

technology, the time required to fully develop them depends on the level of investment and

quality of research. MFC research becomes difficult as expertise required in various field of

science and engineering like environmental engineering, material science, electrochemistry,

instrumentation, biochemistry, biology, physical chemistry, etc.

Bacteria can be used in MFCs to generate electricity while accomplishing the

biodegradation of organic matters or wastes. Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a typical

MFC for producing electricity. It consists of anodic and cathodic chambers partitioned by a

proton exchange membrane (PEM). Microbes in the anodic chamber of an MFC oxidize added

substrates and generate electrons and protons in the process. Carbon dioxide is produced as an

oxidation product. However, there is no net carbon emission because the carbon dioxide in the

renewable biomass originally comes from the atmosphere in the photosynthesis process. Unlike

in a direct combustion process, the electrons are absorbed by the anode and are transported to

the cathode through an external circuit. After crossing a PEM or a salt bridge, the protons enter

the cathodic chamber where they combine with oxygen to form water. Microbes in the anodic

chamber extract electrons and protons in the dissimilative process of oxidizing organic

substrates. Electric current generation is made possible by keeping microbes separated from

oxygen or any other end terminal acceptor other than the anode and this requires an anaerobic

anodic chamber.

Typical electrode reactions are shown below using acetate as an example substrate.

Anodic reaction: CH3COO- + 2H2O 2CO2 + 7H+ + 8e- (1)

Cathodic reaction: O2 + 4e- + 4H+ 2H2O (2)

The overall reaction is the breakdown of the substrate to carbon dioxide and water with

a concomitant production of electricity as a by-product. Based on the electrode reaction pair

above, an MFC bioreactor can generate electricity from the electron flow from the anode to

cathode in the external circuit.

Microbes

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There are many types of MFC constructions are possible based on its applications and

requirements like two-compartment MFC systems, single-compartment MFC systems, up-flow

mode MFC systems,stacked microbial fuel cell, etc. It is found that the most appropriate type

of MFC system for elementary experimental purpose to check treatability of wastewater is two-

compartment MFC system.

Figure 1.1: Principle of Microbial fuel cell

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1.4 Materials and equipment required

Sr.No. Chemical

Required Purpose of use

Quantity

required

Availability

at SRICT

labs

Price

1 NH4Cl

For the preparation of

Synthetic wastewater for inoculation of microbes

5 g Yes

2 KH2PO4 2 g Yes

3 K2HPO4 2 g Yes

4 MgCl2 3 g Yes

5 CoCl2 1 g No 609 r / 500 g

6 ZnCl2 1 g Yes

7 CuCl2 1 g Yes

8 CaCl2 1 g Yes

9 MnCl2 1 g Yes

10 Glucose 20 g Yes

11 Agar Salt bridge 20 g Yes

12 KCl 10 g Yes

13 NaCl 20 g Yes

Sr. No. Testes to be performed Apparatus

1 COD by open reflux method COD apparatus & Glassware

2 MLVSS Whatman filter 42, Oven, Muffle furnace

Sr. No. Miscellaneous

1 Marine sediments

2 Activated sludge

3 Distillery/sugar wastewater

4 Centrifuge (palletization)

Table 1.1: Materials and equipment required

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CHAPTER: 2 METHODOLOGY AND PROJECT STRATEGY

2.1. Project initiation

Idea of a project was initiated with the need of addressing two major global issues of waste

management and energy crisis. By the in depth search, one single solution found called

“Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC)”. Though it was in very initial state but has the potential to

overcome these two crisis. Highly biodegradable wastewater has the potential to generate

electricity through microbial fuel cell based technology.

2.2. Defining objectives

The project was initiated with the thought of making it as simple as possible, by using lesser

chemicals, by using cheaper components like electrode, etc. to be able to understand the

working of MFC even at very basic conditions. Because of the complexity of this project it is

important to fulfill very basic objectives like producing electricity and reducing COD of

wastewater. Objectives are defined in that manner.

2.3. Literature survey strategy

In order to first understand this technology and its application to wastewater treatment, one

must perform in depth literature survey including research papers, online survey, books,

articles, etc. Project complexity lies in the vast area of expertise required to completely

understand this technology as discussed before.

In India there are handful of people who are working on this technology, though many

researches has been published but commercial applications will be initiated only with

wastewater having highest BOD/COD ratio like distillery, food industry, brewery industry, etc.

Though the wastewater of above industry is already generating power through anaerobic

biomenthanation / digestion technology but MFC is much faster alternative to the anaerobic

digestion biomethanation technology with respect to steps involved in energy production and

continuous operation.

Microbes and their activity is really complex to understand. Microbial culture will

decide the overall working of MFC. Very in-depth understanding is necessary to apply precise

methodology. It is very thoughtful to survey literature having wastewater treatment as one of

their objectives. One of the objective of this project is to construct a cost-effective MFC

therefore search will be focused on cost-effective configurations.

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Figure 2.1: Project I timeline

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Figure 2.2: Project II timeline

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Figure 2.3: Ideation Canvas

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Figure 2.4: Product Development Canvas (PDC)

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2.4. Experimental setup construction

Setup is designed to state the cost-effective basic design, keeping in mind that the project is the

initial efforts to reveal the potential of the MFC technology for wastewater treatment. Setup is

to be constructed from inert material avoid inhibition of microbial activity. For that purpose

material of construction is acrylic with the silicone as sealant.

It was really necessary to gain considerable output even at very first attempt, volume

of MFC is decided to be 1.5 liter each chamber. Dimensions are determined such that the

electrodes and inlet outlet can be positioned. From the literature survey, solid graphite

electrodes are found cheap at the same time efficient as well.

Figure 2.5: MFC setup Construction

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Two types of graphite electrode are used for the variation in surface area to study the

effects of surface area on electricity generation. One of the electrode is made up of pencil

graphite lead and another is graphite hollow tube.

For the easy pouring and removal of the salt bridge, at a same time keeping the lower

distance between electrode salt bridge is constructed as shown in figure.

Anaerobic chamber has a lid and gasket arrangement to completely seal the chamber

so that anaerobic system can be maintained. Lid is having holes for pouring wastewater and

electrode wire. But sealed with silicone after placing feed pipe and wire. For the removal of

wastewater tap is given at the bottom. Aerobic chamber is open and have air sparger and

electrode.

Figure 2.6: Pencil lead electrode 65 cm2

Figure 2.7: Hollow graphite tube

electrode 200 cm2

Figure 2.8: Salt bridge

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2.5. Microbial culture/Inoculum preparation

Microbes are the most important part of the MFC, because without selective enrichment of

microbial culture, MFC won’t work efficiently. From the literature survey it is found that mixed

microbial consortia from marine sediments, activated sludge or anaerobic digester biomass

gives maximum output in MFC after some pretreatment.

Inoculum is prepared by the following method, pond sediments (from the deep down

bottom ensuring anaerobic microbes present) and activated sludge is taken to centrifuge at 5000

rpm and 22 °C. It washed thrice with saline buffer (2g NaCl, 0.30 g K2HPO4, 0.084 g KH2PO4

in 250ml of distilled water, pH 7.0) and centrifuged each time at same rpm. The pellet remains

at bottom after washing away raffinate. It was in enriched in synthetic wastewater consists of

0.5 g/l NH4Cl, 0.25 g/l KH2PO4, 0.25 g/l K2HPO4, 0.3 g/l MgCl2, 25 mg/l CoCl2, 11.5 mg/l

ZnCl2, 10.5 mg/l CuCl2, 5 mg/l CaCl2, 15 g/l MnCl2, 3 g/l Glucose, pH 5.5, COD 3.4 g/l.

During the enrichment bottles are kept closed to provide aseptic anaerobic

microenvironment at 10 rpm, room temperature and acidophilic pH 5.5 is maintained to sustain

acidogenic (hydrogen producing) bacteria, which also inhibits the activity of methanogenic

Figure 2.9: Constructed Setup

Figure 2.10: Assembled Setup

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bacteria in return which will enhance the hydrogen production, highly required for MFC

operation.

Now pretreatment of the enriched synthetic wastewater is done by heat shock treatment

at 100°C for 2hour and then pH 3 is adjusted by 88% orthophosphoric acid and let it remain

for 24h. This treatment will completely inhibit the growth of methanogenic bacteria.

Meanwhile hydrogen producing bacteria will form a cyst to sustain at such high temperature.

In this manner rich mixed microbial culture is prepared for MFC. Before use in MFC prepared

inoculum is subjected to pH adjustment to 7.0 ± 0.5 under complete anaerobic

microenvironment.

2.6. Salt bridge preparation

Salt bridge is made of agar + salt. 100ml of distill water is taken in 250ml beaker and put on

the heating at 80°C, now 0.1g KCl is added as a salt and dissolved. Provide continuous stirring

and add 5 g agar slowly until the viscosity of the solution rich to solidify.

Cotton plugs are placed to the two side opening of the salt bridge casing pipe and

solution is immediately poured in to it from middle opening as shown in figure. Let it be until

the agar salt bridge is solidified completely. For 2 to 3 hours. Now salt bridge is ready for

operation.

2.7. Operating pH and temperature

During the operation pH is maintained at 7.0 ± 0.5. Decrease in pH will reduce the output

voltage. Whole project experimentation is carried out at room temperature i.e. 25 ± 5 °C.

2.8. Initial experimentation strategy

Inoculum is first filled in anaerobic chamber. Initial trails will be done on synthetic wastewater

by changing COD concentration each day. COD concentration is changed by removing old

wastewater by settling and letting sludge as it is. COD concentration is optimized to give

maximum output voltage. Surface area of electrodes is also changed by changing electrode

during one of the trial operation for checking effect of surface area of electrodes on voltage

generation. Wastewater COD is varied by varying concentration of glucose in synthetic

wastewater.

Figure 2.11: Flow diagram of inoculation process

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2.9. Final experimentation strategy

Final experimentation is done on the distillery wastewater to check the feasibility of treatment.

It is diluted to achieve optimum COD concentration. Experimentation is done till the first

voltage drop. COD is measured on daily basis along with the voltage. Wastewater is not

changed during the whole operation. Initial and final biomass concentration are recorded.

2.10. Analysis & reporting COD analysis is done by the standard open reflux method.

Biomass is measured by MLVSS concentration by standard method.

Voltage is measured by standard multimeter of sensitivity up to 1 mV.

Readings are recorded on daily basis and graphs for distillery wastewater trial of

1. Voltage (mV) vs. time in days

2. % COD reduction vs. time in days

3. Voltage (mV) vs. % COD reduction

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CHAPTER: 3 IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECT WORK

3.1 Initial observations

Project implementation was initiated with the construction of specific experimental setup to

serve the purpose. Setup was constructed from 10mm thick acrylic sheets for light weight and

better handling and sealed completely with silicone sealant to avoid any leakage. Both the

chambers are connected by ‘T’ shaped pipe for salt bridge. It is also sealed properly to avoid

any leakage in salt bridge to one of the chambers.

Inoculation is done using two sources of mixed consortia, as mentioned in some of the

literature.

1. Pond/Marine sediments

2. Activated sludge

Figure 3.1: Project experimentation

Figure 3.2: Preparation of mixed consortia

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Observations:

Activated sludge failed since microbes were not that efficient as of pond sediments.

Mixed consortia prepared from pond sediments worked excellently.

Salt bridge is a cheaper alternative of proton exchange membrane and last for 30days

minimum. But it must be prepared from pure agar. (Must not be misunderstood with nutrient

agar).

Item Cost

Proton exchange membrane 2260 Rs. for 10mm x 10mm

Agar + salt (for salt bridge) 1200 Rs. for 250g (enough for 50 trials)

Table 3.1: Comparison of cost of PEM and Salt bridge

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3.2 Synthetic wastewater trial results

Trial 1: Voltage generation

COD: 3400 mg/l

Biomass: 3000 mg/l

Operating pH: 7.0 ± 0.5

Time

(h)

Voltage

(mV)

0 23

1 57

2 63

3 65

4 64

5 62

Observations:

Acclimatization of microbes for electricity generation.

Successful execution of first trial as voltage generation is possible.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Trial 1: Voltage (mV) vs Time (h)

Figure 3.3: Trial 1 graph: voltage vs time

Table 3.2: Trial 1 results

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Trial 2: increase subtract

COD: 5000 mg/l

(Other conditions as mentioned above)

Time

(h)

Voltage

(mV)

0 50

1 57

2 68

3 72

4 75

5 75

Observations:

Voltage output increased but not significantly

Biomass concentration increased by 20%.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

0 1 2 3 4 5 6



Table 3.3: Trial 2

results

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Trial 3: Change electrode

COD: 10000 mg/l


Electrode changed (surface area increase) after 3 h.

1. Pencil lead electrode: 65 cm2

2. Hollow graphite electrode: 200 cm2

Time

(h)

Voltage

(mV)

Current

µA

Power

µW

0 67 28 1.876

1 93 41 3.813

2 112 56 6.272

3 129 72 9.288

4 154 112 17.248

5 157 116 18.212

Observations:

Significant increment in power output

Electrode surface area is varied by changing electrode type. It is observed that lower

surface area gives lower power output and vice versa.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

0 1 2 3 4 5 6


0

5

10

15

20

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Trial 3: Power (µW) vs Time (h)

Figure 3.5: Trial 3 graph: voltage vs time Figure 3.6: Trial 3 graph: power vs time

Table 3.4: Trial 3 results

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Trial 4: increase subtract

COD: 15000 mg/l


Time

(h)

Voltage

(mV)

0 112

1 134

2 169

3 173

4 187

5 189

Observation:

Voltage increased from 3rd trial.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

0 1 2 3 4 5 6



Table 3.5: Trial 4

result

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Trial 5: Higher COD load

COD: 20000 mg/l


Time

(h)

Voltage

(mV)

0 125

1 141

2 156

3 183

4 182

5 180

Observation:

At higher load of COD voltage output does not change from previous trial.

From above 5 trials optimum COD range is 10000 to 15000 mg/l.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

0 1 2 3 4 5 6



Table 3.6: Trial 5

result

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3.3 Distillery wastewater trial

Initial COD 14400 mg/l (diluted from original sample)

Initial pH: 4

Operating pH: adjusted 7.0 ± 0.5

Temperature: 25 to 30 °C (Room Temperature)

Observation table:

Sample calculation:

COD (mg/L) = (A-B)*N*8*1000 / ml of sample taken.

Where, A= ml of Ferrous ammonium sulphate used for blank.

B= ml of Ferrous ammonium sulphate used for sample.

N= normality of ferrous ammonium sulphate.

8= milliequivalent weight of oxygen.

Blank reading (ml) Burette reading (ml) COD (mg/l) % Reduction Time(in days) m V

24.5 21.1 13600 5.56 1 90

24.6 21.6 12000 16.67 2 126

24.2 21.6 10400 27.78 3 148

24.2 21.9 9200 36.11 4 175

24.4 22.5 7600 47.22 5 221

24.6 22.9 6800 52.78 6 250

24.8 23.5 5200 63.89 7 260

24.6 23.4 4800 66.67 8 268

24.6 23.5 4400 69.44 9 258

24.9 23.8 4400 69.44 10 203

25 24 4000 72.22 11 112

25 23.9 4400 69.44 12 50

Table 3.6: Distillery wastewater trial

result

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90

126

148

175

221

250260 268

258

203

112

50

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

Voltage (mV) vs Time (in days)

0.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00 60.00 70.00 80.00

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

5.56

16.67

27.78

36.11

47.22

52.78

63.89

66.67

69.44

69.44

72.22

69.44

Time in days vs % COD reduction

Figure 3.9: Distillery wastewater graph: voltage vs time

Figure 3.10: Distillery wastewater graph: time vs %COD

reduction

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0

50

100

150

200

250

300

0.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00 60.00 70.00 80.00

Voltage (m V) vs % COD reduction

Figure 3.11: Distillery wastewater graph: voltage vs %COD

reduction

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CHAPTER: 4 OUTCOMES OF PROJECT WORK

4.1 Result summary

Microbial fuel cell is really amazing technology for wastewater treatment. By the

experimentation, it is clear that MFC technology will grow in future. There are many types of

MFC designs are possible but salt bridge MFC is proved to be best for the initial laboratory

experimentation. It won’t be wrong to say that even the methodology followed was cost

effective and ecofriendly. It is possible to generate power and mediator less MFC is also

feasible.

From the literature, it was found that ASP sludge can be used to prepare inoculum but

its efficiency is too low. Pond (marine) sediments are found to be the best as it has nearly no

cost and gives considerable output but proper methodology should be followed in order to

selectively enrich mixed consortia.

It was really necessary to optimize the feed COD concentration for maximum electricity

generation. Overloading the COD will make microbes unable to sustain and decrease voltage

output. Whereas lower COD may not give desired output. In the synthetic wastewater trials, it

was observed that 10000 to 15000 mg/l COD is optimum for maximum power output. For that

purpose, distillery (industrial) wastewater is diluted to 14400 mg/l COD from its original

concentration.

Synthetic wastewater trial also reveals the idea of increasing surface area of electrode.

The lower surface area yields lower power output and higher surface area yields higher power

output generation. It also increases current density.

Distillery wastewater trial: From the graph of voltage vs time (days). It is observed that

at the very first stage of 4 days microbes start to acclimatize then microbial growth occur. From

the day 6 to 9 voltage remain almost constant. From the graph of %reduction in COD vs Time

in days. It is observed that initially COD reduction was moderate for first two days then it

became rapid as the microbial growth occur. After 8 days of operation COD becomes almost

constant till 12th day. Operation was stopped after 12 days since no change in COD of

Wastewater and voltage dropped. From the graph of %COD reduction vs voltage (mV), it

seems there is a linear relation between COD reduction of wastewater and voltage generation.

But it is found from the literature survey that relation is influenced by other factors, for

example, there is microbial metabolism called anabolism in which electron produced are used

in their own cell growth.

Experimentation done on the industrial (distillery) wastewater reveals the secret of

feasibility of treatment and energy production through small but can be improve by further

research.

4.2 Project objectives achieved

Microbial fuel cell based wastewater treatment is effective even though negligible

chemicals are used during operation

Methodology synthesized for the experimentation by taking reference of literature is

proved to be successful even though the complexity in understanding MFC operation

Pond/Marine sediments works successfully for preparing mixed consortia for microbial

fuel cell.

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It is observed that according to MFC build, 10000 to 15000 mg/l COD is found

optimum for maximum power generation.

Surface area of electrode plays important role in obtaining power output.

Considerable COD reduction is observed for industrial (distillery) wastewater

Voltage generation was considerable but power output in unrecoverable- can be

enhanced by further research and optimization

Microbial fuel cell based treatment of wastewater is found feasible on distillery

wastewater

Power output is found considerable but it is not enough for commercial recovery

device- can be enhanced by further research and optimization. Scale up for capacity

plant will be possible too.

4.3 Advantages of work

Microbial fuel cell is still at its very initial stage though researchers have taken their interest in

this technology. Work done through this project will open the world of endless possibilities.

Due to amateur understanding in the field, it was really difficult to initiate. Though this project

is a very small step but it will be the motivation and solid base for future projects on the same

field.

4.4 Usefulness of the MFC based wastewater treatment with respect to

existing solutions

Distillery and sugar industry wastewater is not actually wastewater because it is used for

agricultural purpose and for biomethanation through anaerobic digestion. But anaerobic

technology for energy generation has its own disadvantages like, it has many intermediate

steps. But MFC technology will eliminate this undesired steps for electrical energy generation.

Now it is hard to say when MFC technology will become viable enough to replace existing

solutions but in near future it might become possible that MFC Technology will coexist with

other technologies.

4.5 Scope of future work

There is very huge scope of work is possible in the field of microbial fuel cell. There is

researches are but there are still many things that can be improved. It will take many years to

become viable technology. To take this work further, researches in following area can be done.

MFC configuration: there are many types of MFC configurations are possible.

Air cathode MFC will no longer require air sparger, ideal for scale up and electricity

generation.

Other wastewater parameters can be measured since treatment covers more than COD

as a parameter.

More specialized and designed strain of microbes can be employed for better

performance.

Research is possible on different types of wastewater

Proton exchange membrane increases the efficiency of MFC which will be ideal for

scale up and commercial use.

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wastewater treatment using a single chamber microbial fuel cell”, Environmental

Science and Technology, 38, pp 2281-2285.

20. Logan B. E and Regan J. M., (2006). “Microbial fuel cells challenges and

applications”, Environmental Science and Technology, 40, pp 5172-5180.

21. Logan B. E., Aelterman P., Hamelers B., Rozendal R., Schroder U., Keller J.,

Freguiac S., Verstraete W., Rabaey K., (2006). “Microbial fuel cells: methodology

and technology”, Environmental Science and Technology, 40(17), pp 5181-5192.

22. Logan B. E., Cheng S., Watson V., Estadt G., (2007). “Graphite Fiber Brush Anodes

for Increased Power Production in Air Cathode Microbial Fuel Cells”, Environmental

Science and Technology, 41, pp 3341-3346.

23. Logan B.E., (2005). “Simultaneous wastewater treatment and biological electricity

generation”, Water Science & Technology, 52, pp 31–37.

24. Logan B. E., (2009). “Exoelectrogenic bacteria that power microbial fuel cells”,

Nature Reviews Microbiology, 7, pp 375-381.

25. Logan B. E., (2010). “Scaling up microbial fuel cells and other bioelectrochemical

systems”, Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 85, pp 1665–1671.

26. Luoa H., Liua G., Zhanga R., Jin S., (2009). “Phenol degradation in microbial fuel

cells”, Chemical Engineering Journal, 147, pp 259–264.

P a g e | 30

27. Min B and Logan B. E., (2004). “Continuous Electricity Generation from Domestic

Wastewater and Organic Substrates in a Flat Plate Microbial Fuel Cell”,

Environmental Science and Technology, 38, pp 5809-5814.

28. Mohana S., Bhavik K. A., Madamwar D., (2009). “Distillery spent wash: Treatment

technologies and potential applications”, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 163, pp 12–

25.

29. Mohanakrishna G., Venkata Mohan S., Sarma P. N., (2010). “Bioelectrochemical

treatment of distillery wastewater in microbial fuel cell facilitating decolorization and

desalination along with power generation”, Journal of Hazardous Material, 177, pp

487–494.

30. Momoh O. L and Naeyor B.A., (2010). “A novel electron acceptor for microbial fuel

cells: Nature of circuit connection on internal resistance”, Journal of Biochemical

Technology, 2(4), pp 216-220.

31. Pham (2006) “comparison between aerobic and anaerobic”

32. Rabaey K and Verstraete W., (2005). “Microbial fuel cells: novel biotechnology for

energy generation”, Trends in Biotechnology, 23(6), pp 291-298.

33. S. Venkata Mohan et al. (2008) “Bioelectricity generation from chemical wastewater

treatment in mediatorless (anode) microbial fuel cell (MFC) using selectively

enriched hydrogen producing mixed culture under acidophilic microenvironment”

Biochemical Engineering Journal 39 (2008) 121–130

34. Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater, (1995). 19 th Edition.

Prepared and Published by American Public Health Association, American Water

Works Association, Water Pollution Control Federation.

35. http://www.engr.psu.edu/ce/ENVE/logan.htm

P a g e | 31

36. Zhuwei Du, Haoran Li , TingyueGu (2007) “A state of the art review on

microbial fuel cells: A promising technology for wastewater treatment and

bioenergy” Biotechnology Advances 25 (2007) 464–482

P a g e | 32

APPENDIX

1. Periodic Progress Reports (PPR)

2. Business Model Canvas (BMC) and its Report

3. Patent Drafting Exercise (PDE)

5/25/2015 Periodic Progress Report (PPR) Details

1/1

Periodic Progess Report : First PPR

Project:

Treatment And Energy Recovery From High BOD/COD Waste Water With Microbial Fuel CellBased Technology

Status : Submitted (Freeze)

What Progress you have made in the Project ?

In previous project phase we have done our literature survey and development of experimentalsetup. In this semester project phase, till now we have listed the requirements of projectexperimentation. Like chemicals, apparatus and testes to be done, etc.

What challenge you have faced ?

leak proofing is required for our self made setup.

What support you need ?

We request our college to provide enlisted chemicals and permission to perform enlisted testesin written application to HOD, EST, SRICT

Which literature you have referred ?

Some of the early papers of Bruce E. Logan and Venkata is referred.


http://projects.gtu.ac.in/SitePages/PeriodicProgressReportDetails.aspx?enc=zL2vXvlAyzDVWB8xl3UH8D78KJtVMpZeq/zDCCKWnao= 1/1

Periodic Progess Report : Second PPR

Project:

Treatment And Energy Recovery From High BOD/COD Waste Water With Microbial Fuel Cell Based Technology



Now we have to prepare inoculation, for that we have taken help of Miss. Rajeshwari Prajapati (lab. assi. biotech). Welearned to prepare inoculam by our selves since we are preparing mixed consortia. By the literature survey we havedecided to take marine sediments from nearby pond of our college and also activated sludge from CETP.


Preparation of microbial inoculam for carrying out experiment was a challenge for since we have short hand onunderstanding microbiology. But Miss. Rajeshwari and our guide helped us understand inoculation procedure.


We require marine sediments as well as activated sludge from CETP. As an equipment we need centrifuge for makingpellet of collected sediments.


S. Venkata Mohan et al. (2008) “Bioelectricity generation from chemical wastewater treatment in mediatorless (anode)microbial fuel cell (MFC) using selectively enriched hydrogen producing mixed culture under acidophilicmicroenvironment” Biochemical Engineering Journal 39 (2008) 121–130


http://projects.gtu.ac.in/SitePages/PeriodicProgressReportDetails.aspx?enc=as2ER3+J2Vul321bfSn06e5QyB5m3BuPKU3tuXe5sOk= 1/1

Periodic Progess Report : Third PPR

Project:




We have prepared synthetic wastewater, inoculum and salt bridge at first. then we have started our experimentation tounderstand MFC technology for wastewater treatment. We ran our setup on inoculum itself made in syntheticwastewater. We have noted our readings of voltage generated through MFC.


Salt bridge made from agar was not reliable since it was draining out. But overcame this problem.


We need a place where we can perform our experiments on MFC.


Bruce E. Logan et al. (2008) “Microbial Fuel Cells: Methodology and Technology” Environ. Sci. & Technol. S. VenkataMohan et al. (2008) “Bioelectricity generation from chemical wastewater treatment in mediatorless (anode) microbialfuel cell (MFC) using selectively enriched hydrogen producing mixed culture under acidophilic microenvironment”Biochemical Engineering Journal 39 (2008) 121–130


http://projects.gtu.ac.in/SitePages/PeriodicProgressReportDetails.aspx?enc=yW3urofingRBIW4wSQt2Ct5spXU8pWEWntP1UO4kmQo= 1/1

Periodic Progess Report : Forth PPR

Project:




We have mention in previous PPR that we ran our setup on artificial/synthetic wastewater. Experimentation onsynthetic wastewater was carried out for 5 days continuous then after we removed syn wastewater from anaerobicchamber leaving sludge(microbes) as it is settled down. Then we added diluted distillery wastewater from sugarindustry. And we noted reading of voltage and COD periodically (day basis). after 12 days of run we found declinedvoltage and COD was constant. we made assumption that COD will remain as it is from now.


We were suggested to determine F/M ratio. but since our objective was to check feasibility of the MFC technology onwastewater only there was some confusions between us. but we decided to stick to our objective.


Facility to carry out experimentation.


Hampannavar U.S , Anupama , Pradeep N.V , Treatment of distillery wastewater using single chamber and doublechambered MFC, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Volume 2, No 1, 2011

THE BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS

TEAM ID: 25717

DESIGNED FOR: Microbial fuel cell

DESIGNED BY: Sagar Divetiya, Ayushi Sharma, Sanket rai, Yash Kapadia

Guided by: Mr. Manoj Kumar (HOD Enviro. Sci. & Tech.)

KEY PARTNER

Biochemical department –development of microbes

Experts advice for the project

Feedback from the internal professor

Assistance from the guide

Data from the previous studies

KEY ACTIVITY

Identification of wastewater with high BOD/COD

Treatment of wastewater generation of electricity

Optimization of parameter

KEY RESOURCES

Data from the literature survey

Efforts of individual as a team

Self Financial resource

VALUE PROPOSITIONS

Latest technology for treatment of wastewater

Great performance and feasibility due to generation of electricity

Alternate of the biological treatment

Easy to access , close monitoring of system is not require

Over all cost reduction in the treatment

Performance can be increased by the optimization

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP

Self service

Automated service

CHANNELS

Direct contact

Contact through the college

CUSTOMER SEGMENT

Chemical industry, food industry

High BOD wastewater generator

Municipal authority

COST STRUCTURE

Economic process, decrease the cost of power production

Less manpower is required so the manpower cost will reduced

Cost driven product provide inexpensive, quality product

Manufacturing cost and customer acquisitions cost

REVENUE STREAM

Direct sales

Direct pay through the banking

No bargaining on the product

Product is volume dependent

GIC Patent Drafting Exercise Team ID:

FORM 1

THE PATENTS ACT 1970

(39 OF 1970)

&

THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

APPLICATION FOR GRANT OF PATENT

(FOR OFFICE USE ONLY)

Application No:

Filing Date:

Amount of Fee paid:

CBR No:

GTU Innovation CouncilPatent Drafting Exercise (PDE)

25717

1. Applicant(s) :

ID Name Nationality Address Mobile No. Email

Sagarkumar

Jyotindrakuma

r Divetiya

Environmental Science &

Technology , Shroff S R

Rotary Institute Of

Chemical Technology, At

& Po: Vataria, Bharuch ,

Gujarat Technologycal

University.

7405651447 sagardivetiya@liv

e.com

Indian1

Yash

Ketankumar

Kapadia



Rotary Institute Of




University.

7405328365 yashkkapadia@g

mail.com

Indian2

Ayushi Sanjay

Sharma



Rotary Institute Of




University.

9974539630 ayushi1602shar

[email protected]

Indian3

Sanket

Mahendranath

Rai



Rotary Institute Of




University.

8401260805 sanketrai16@gm

ail.com

Indian4

2. Inventor(s):

This is just a mock Patent Drafting Exercise (PDE) for semester 8, BE students of GTU.

These documents are not to be submitted with any patent office.Note :

Page 1 of 5

Mobile No. Email AddressNationalityNameID

Sagarkumar

Jyotindrakumar

Divetiya

Environmental Science

& Technology , Shroff

S R Rotary Institute Of

Chemical Technology,

At & Po: Vataria,

Bharuch , Gujarat

Technologycal

University.

7405651447 sagardivetiya@l

ive.com

Indian1

Yash

Ketankumar

Kapadia





At & Po: Vataria,

Bharuch , Gujarat

Technologycal

University.

7405328365 yashkkapadia@

gmail.com

Indian2

Ayushi Sanjay

Sharma





At & Po: Vataria,

Bharuch , Gujarat

Technologycal

University.

9974539630 ayushi1602shar

[email protected]

Indian3

Sanket

Mahendranath

Rai





At & Po: Vataria,

Bharuch , Gujarat

Technologycal

University.

8401260805 sanketrai16@g

mail.com

Indian4

3. Title of Invention/Project:

Treatment And Energy Recovery From High BOD/COD Waste Water With Microbial Fuel Cell Based

Technology

4. Address for correspondence of applicant/authorized patent agent in india

Name:

Address:

Mobile:

Email ID:

Sagarkumar Jyotindrakumar Divetiya

Environmental Science & Technology , Shroff S R Rotary Institute Of Chemical Technology, At

& Po: Vataria, Bharuch , Gujarat Technological University.

7405651447

[email protected]

5. Priority particulars of the application(S) field in convention country

Name of the Applicant Title of the InventionFiling DateApplication No.Country

N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A



Page 2 of 5

6. Particulars for filing patent co-operation treaty (pct) national phase Application

International application number International filing date as alloted by the receiving office

N/A N/A

7. Particulars for filing divisional application

Original(First) Application Number Date of filing of Original (first) application

N/A N/A

8. Particulars for filing patent of addition

Original(First) Application Number Date of filing of Original (first) application

N/A N/A

9. DECLARATIONS:

(i) Declaration by the inventor(s)

I/We, the above named inventor(s) is/are true & first inventor(s) for this invention and declare that the

applicant(s).

herein is/are my/our assignee or legal representative.

Date : 20 - May - 2015

Signature & DateName

1 Sagarkumar

Jyotindrakumar

Divetiya

2 Yash Ketankumar

Kapadia

3 Ayushi Sanjay

Sharma

4 Sanket Mahendranath

Rai

(ii) Declaration by the applicant(s) in the convention country

I/We, the applicant(s) hereby declare(s) that:-

(iii) Declaration by the applicant(s)

I/We, the applicant (s) in the convention country declare that the applicant(s) herein is/are my/our

assignee or legal representative.applicant(s)



Page 3 of 5

I am/We in possession of the above mentioned invention.

The provisional/complete specification relating to the invention is filed with this aplication.

The invention as disclosed in the spcification uses the biological material from India and the necessary

permission from the competent authority shall be submitted by me/us before the grant of patent to me/us.

There is no lawful ground of objection to the grant of the patent to me/us.

I am/we are the assignee or the legal representative of true & first inventors.

The application or each of the application,particulars of each are given in the para 5 was the first applicatin in

the convention country/countries in respect of my/our invention.

The application or each of the application,particulars of each are given in the para 5 was the first applicatin in

the convention country/countries in respect of my/our invention.

I/we claim the priority from the above mentioned applications(s) filed in the convention country/countries &

state that no application for protection in respect of invention had been made in a convention country before

that date by me/us or by any person

My/Our application in india is based on international application under Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) as

mentioned in para 6

The application is divided out of my/our application(s) particulars of which are given in para 7 and pray that

this application may be treated as deemed to have been filed on ___________under section 16 of the Act.

The said invention is an improvement in or modification of the invention particulars of ehivh are given in para

8.

(a) Provisional specification/Complete specification

(b) Complete specification(In confirmation with the international application) / as amended before the

international Preliminary Examination Authority (IPEA),as applicable(2 copies),No.of pages.....No.of

claims.....

(c) Drawings (In confirmation with the international application)/as amended before the international

Preliminary Examination Authority(IPEA),as applicable(2 copies),No.of sheets....

(d) Priority documents

(e) Translations of priority documents/specification/international search reports

(f) Statement and undertaking on Form 3

(g) Power of Authority

(h) Declaration of inventorship on Form 5

(i) Sequence listing in electronic Form

(j) ........................................ Fees Rs.XXX in Cash /Cheque/Bank Draft bearin No.XXX Date: XXX on XXX

Bank.

10. Following are the attachments with the application:

I/We hereby declare that to the best of my /our knowledge, information and belief the fact and mtters stated

herein are correct and I/We request that a patent may be granted to me/us for the said invention.Dated this 20 day of May , 2015



Page 4 of 5

Name Signature & Date

1 Sagarkumar

Jyotindrakumar

Divetiya

2 Yash Ketankumar

Kapadia

3 Ayushi Sanjay

Sharma

4 Sanket Mahendranath

Rai



Page 5 of 5


FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970

(39 OF 1970)

&


PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION

25717

1. Title of the project/invention :

Treatment And Energy Recovery From High BOD/COD Waste Water With Microbial Fuel Cell Based

Technology

Sagarkumar Jyotindrakumar Divetiya , ( Indian )

Address :Environmental Science & Technology , Shroff S R Rotary Institute Of Chemical Technology, At & Po:

Vataria, Bharuch , Gujarat Technologycal University.

Yash Ketankumar Kapadia , ( Indian )



Ayushi Sanjay Sharma , ( Indian )



Sanket Mahendranath Rai , ( Indian )



2. Applicant(s) :

3. Preamble to the description :

The following specification describes the invention.



Page 1 of 7

4. Description :

a. Field of Application / Project / Invention :

Treatment of high BOD/COD wastewater and simultaneous energy production using Microbial fuel

cell.

b. Prior Art / Background of the Invention / References :

Microbial fuel cell directly converts chemical energy into electrical energy just as electrochemical

cell where as conventional anaerobic digestion (AD) technology has intermediate steps to convert

chemical energy into electrical energy. In anaerobic digestion technology, adequate pressure of

biogas must be generated and biogas must be stored. Then to generated electricity, biogas need to

be combusted and heat energy is then converted to electrical energy through intermediate prime

mover.In addition, the quality of the biogas produced is often suboptimal. Conventional AD and

MFC technologies can be regarded as complementary technologies. The combination of the two

technologies allows for broadening the spectrum of the bioconversion technology. While

conventional AD can be applied on an industrial scale to treat high strength substrates at

temperatures above 30 °C, the niche applications of MFCs are to be sought in low concentrated

substrates and low temperature conversions. A number of factors still limit the application spectrum

of MFCs. In order to overcome the limitations of MFCs, making the technology practical and

economically feasible as well as sustainable, the key research and development features for the

future are: (i) New materials for better configurations of MFCs, particularly dry cathodes that have a

high affinity to oxygen and use gaseous oxygen directly from the air; (ii) Low material costs as well

as low operational costs and (iii) A reliable output of “non-commodity” electricity produced by MFCs.

c. Summary of the Invention/Project :

World is facing various environmental and energy issues nowadays. Researcher around the world

are trying to find the solutions of these global issues. Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a technology which

has potential to shot two target with one arrow. In other words, this technology can solve both the

problems with its endless possibilities.

It is hard to say right now when MFCs will be implemented on a large scale at treatment plants .

Since MFCs are a relatively new technology, the time required to fully develop them depends on the

level of investment and quality of research. MFC research becomes difficult as expertise required in

various field of science and engineering like environmental engineering, material science,

electrochemistry, instrumentation, biochemistry, biology, physical chemistry, etc.

In Indian scenario it is a big question of feasibility of the wastewater treatment and energy

generation using microbial fuel cell based technology. Indian researchers have done initial research

on this noble technology but still there is long way to go. It is really important to think about where to

start to make this technology for commercial implementation. As the complexity of the technology is

too high, precise understanding must be there for implementation of the technology.

d. Objects of the Invention/Project :

In order to address problem mentioned above about the understanding and feasibility of MFC

technology for wastewater treatment and simultaneous energy recovery, following are the

objectives of this project.

1. Construction of specific experimental setup for MFC.

2. Implementation of precise methodology and evaluation of the same.

3. Selection and preparation of mixed consortia for MFC.

4. Optimization of feed wastewater COD for maximum voltage generation.

5. Evaluate effect of surface area of electrode on electricity generation.

6. Analyze COD reduction of distillery wastewater

7. Analyze voltage generation of distillery wastewater

8. Check feasibility of the technology on distillery wastewater

9. Determine future scope and scale up possibilities

e. Drawing(s) :



Page 2 of 7

25717_1_1 Setup spec

25717_2_0 Setup construcition

25717_3_3 Solidified salt bridge

f. Description of the Invention

Setup is designed to state the cost-effective basic design, keeping in mind that the project is the

initial efforts to reveal the potential of the MFC technology for wastewater treatment. Setup is to be

constructed from inert material avoid inhibition of microbial activity. For that purpose material of

construction is acrylic with the silicone as sealant.

It was really necessary to gain considerable output even at very first attempt, volume of MFC is

decided to be 1.5 liter each chamber. Dimensions are determined such that the electrodes and inlet

outlet can be positioned. From the literature survey, solid graphite electrodes are found cheap at

the same time efficient as well.

Two types of graphite electrode are used for the variation in surface area to study the effects of

surface area on electricity generation. One of the electrode is made up of pencil graphite lead and

another is graphite hollow tube.

For the easy pouring and removal of the salt bridge, at a same time keeping the lower distance

between electrode salt bridge is constructed as shown in figure.

Anaerobic chamber has a lid and gasket arrangement to completely seal the chamber so that

anaerobic system can be maintained. Lid is having holes for pouring wastewater and electrode

wire. But sealed with silicone after placing feed pipe and wire. For the removal of wastewater tap is

given at the bottom. Aerobic chamber is open and have air sparger and electrode.

Microbes are the most important part of the MFC, because without selective enrichment of

microbial culture, MFC won’t work efficiently. From the literature survey it is found that mixed

microbial consortia from marine sediments, activated sludge or anaerobic digester biomass gives

maximum output in MFC after some pretreatment.

Inoculum is prepared by the following method, pond sediments (from the deep down bottom

ensuring anaerobic microbes present) and activated sludge is taken to centrifuge at 5000 rpm and

22 °C. It washed thrice with saline buffer (2g NaCl, 0.30 g K2HPO4, 0.084 g KH2PO4 in 250ml of

distilled water, pH 7.0) and centrifuged each time at same rpm. The pellet remains at bottom after

washing away raffinate. It was in enriched in synthetic wastewater consists of 0.5 g/l NH4Cl, 0.25

g/l KH2PO4, 0.25 g/l K2HPO4, 0.3 g/l MgCl2, 25 mg/l CoCl2, 11.5 mg/l ZnCl2, 10.5 mg/l CuCl2, 5

mg/l CaCl2, 15 g/l MnCl2, 3 g/l Glucose, pH 5.5, COD 3.4 g/l.

During the enrichment bottles are kept closed to provide aseptic anaerobic microenvironment

at 10 rpm, room temperature and acidophilic pH 5.5 is maintained to sustain acidogenic (hydrogen

producing) bacteria, which also inhibits the activity of methanogenic bacteria in return which will

enhance the hydrogen production, highly required for MFC operation.

Now pretreatment of the enriched synthetic wastewater is done by heat shock treatment at

100°C for 2hour and then pH 3 is adjusted by 88% orthophosphoric acid and let it remain for 24h.

This treatment will completely inhibit the growth of methanogenic bacteria. Meanwhile hydrogen

producing bacteria will form a cyst to sustain at such high temperature. In this manner rich mixed

microbial culture is prepared for MFC. Before use in MFC prepared inoculum is subjected to pH

adjustment to 7.0 ± 0.5 under complete anaerobic microenvironment.

Salt bridge is made of agar + salt. 100ml of distill water is taken in 250ml beaker and put on the

heating at 80°, now 0.1g KCl is added as a salt and dissolved. Provide continuous stirring and add

5 g agar slowly until the viscosity of the solution rich to solidify.

Cotton plugs are placed to the two side opening of the salt bridge casing pipe and solution is

immediately poured in to it from middle opening as shown in figure. Let it be until the agar salt

bridge is solidified completely. For 2 to 3 hours. Now salt bridge is ready for operation.

During the operation pH is maintained at 7.0 ± 0.5. Decrease in pH will reduce the output voltage.

Whole project experimentation is carried out at room temperature i.e. 25 ± 5 °C.

g. Examples



Page 3 of 7

h. Unique Features of the Project

1. Increased capacity of cell

2. Advantageous over Anaerobic digestion

3. Not power consuming but producing

4. Minimal use of chemicals

5. Basic and simple H-type lab scale design

5. Date & Signature :

Date : 20 - May - 2015

Sign and Date

Sagarkumar

Jyotindrakumar

Divetiya

Sign and Date

Yash Ketankumar

Kapadia

Sign and Date

Ayushi Sanjay

Sharma

Sign and Date

Sanket Mahendranath

Rai

6. Abstract of the project / invention :

Energy and waste management are two crisis that world is facing nowadays. A Microbial fuel cells (MFC) is

a collective solution of these two crisis. MFC converts energy of chemical bond of biodegradable compound

into electricity with the help of microorganisms. MFC technology has very wide range of applications but

very recent researches are more focused on wastewater treatment and biosensor technology. There are

many types of MFCs are made but among all those 2-chamber H-type MFC is used in study because it is

best for preliminary experimental purpose. MFC works on the same principle as Fuel Cells. The anoxic

anode chamber is connected internally to the cathode chamber via an ion exchange membrane or salt

bridge with the circuit completed by an external wire.The project report contains experimental setup

construction, setup run prerequisites and results. Salt bridge is considered for Experimental setup.

In whole project we are aiming to check treatability of industrial wastewater and review of benefits of MFC

technology for wastewater treatment and simultaneous energy generation. The report presents the study

done to understand various aspects of design and operation of MFC and how it is implemented to make an

experimental setup of MFC as well as feasibility and benefits of MFC technology for wastewater treatment.



Page 4 of 7

Drawing Attachments :

25717_1_1 Setup spec



Page 5 of 7

25717_2_0 Setup construcition



Page 6 of 7

25717_3_3 Solidified salt bridge



Page 7 of 7


FORM 3

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970

(39 OF 1970)

&


STATEMENT AND UNDERTAKING UNDER SECTION 8

25717

1. Declaration :Sagarkumar Jyotindrakumar Divetiya , Yash Ketankumar Kapadia , Ayushi Sanjay Sharma , Sanket Mahendranath Rai ,

I/We,

Sagarkumar Jyotindrakumar Divetiya ( Indian )

Address : Environmental Science & Technology , Shroff S R Rotary Institute

Of Chemical Technology, At & Po: Vataria, Bharuch , Gujarat Technologycal

University.

Yash Ketankumar Kapadia ( Indian )



University.

Ayushi Sanjay Sharma ( Indian )



University.

Sanket Mahendranath Rai ( Indian )



University.

2. Name, Address and Nationality of the joint Applicant :

Name of the

Country

Date of

Application

Application

Number

Status of the

Application

Date of

Publication

Date of

Grant

N/A N/A N/A N/AN/AN/A

(i) that I/We have not made any application for the same/substantially the same

invention outside India.

(ii) that the right in the application(s) has/have been assigned to,

Here by declare:

(iii) that I/We undertake that up to the date of grant of patent by the Controller , I/We

would keep him inform in writing the details regarding corresponding application(s)

for patents filed outside India within 3 months from the date of filing of such

application.

Dated this 20 day of May , 2015.

3. Signature of Applicants :



Page 1 of 2

Sign and Date

Sagarkumar

Jyotindrakumar Divetiya

Sign and Date

Yash Ketankumar

Kapadia

Sign and Date

Ayushi Sanjay Sharma

Sign and Date

Sanket Mahendranath

Rai

To

The Controller of Patent

The Patent Office, at Mumbai.



Page 2 of 2