Deriving electricity from dye processing wastewater using single chamber microbial fuel cell with carbon brush anode and platinum nano coated air cathode.

Single chamber air cathode microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a promising and sustainable technology to generate electricity. In the present study, the potential of air cathode MFC treating dye processing wastewater was investigated at various organic loads with interest focused on power densities, organic removal and coulombic efficiencies. The highest power density of about 515 mW/m (6.03 W/m) with 56% of coulombic efficiency was procured at 1.0 (g COD/L) organic load. The high potency of TCOD (total chemical oxygen demand), SCOD (soluble chemical oxygen demand) and TSS (Total Suspended Solids) removal of about 85%, 73% and 68% respectively was achieved at the organic load of 1.0 (g COD/L). The bacterial strains in anode region at the initial stage of MFC operation were reported to be responsible for potential organic removal. The bacterial strains in air cathode MFC were identified as sp. strain JRA1 (MH27077), sp. strain JRA2 (MH27078), sp. strain JRA3 (MH27079), sp. strain JRA4 (MH27080), sp. strain JRA5 (MH27081), sp. strain JRA6 (MH27082) and sp. strain JRA7 (MH27083) using phylogenetic analysis. After 60 days of air cathode MFC operation, the bacterial community in biofilm samples was dominated by and (20-22%). The biofilm sample collected from the carbon brush consisted of (33%), (30%), (28%), (6%) and (3%). The present study revealed the treatment efficiency of dye processing wastewater along with power generation in single chambered air cathode MFC.