Electricity generation by metal-respiring-bacteria in microbial fuel cell (MFC)

Microbial fuel cell is a bioreactor that generate electricity when organic matter oxidized by bacteria. ln this study two designs were tested to find the most favorable design for MFC system which are membrane-less double chamber (‘H’ type) design and single design. The
identification of favorable design were tested by inoculation of four metal-respiring-bacteria (MRB) strains in this system. Two strains of MRB are pure strain from Shewanella genus which are S.oneidensis (MR-1) and S. putrefaciens (str 200). While others two strains are newly isolated strains which are from lake sediment (MAR(02)) and paddy field sediment (D1). All strains showed positive voltage in single design with exception of D1 strain. Meanwhile, in membrane-less ‘H’ design, all strains showed negative value. Highest voltage produced was 300.60 mV which performed by str 200 and followed by MR-1, MAR(02) and D1 strains with voltage reading 150.70 mV, 74.48 mV and -66.98 mV. MFC system can be one of new potential technology which as alternative energy sources in the future. Moreover, the electricity generation and waste water treatment are able to carry out at the same time.