Temperature dependence of power generation of empty fruit bunch (EFB) based microbial fuel cell

Abstract

Microbial fuel cell has been considered a new emerging technology for renewable and sustainable electricity production. The energy can be extracted from organic waste materials which time independently increase in mass. In the present study, it was demonstrated that lignocellulosic material such as empty fruit bunch (EFB) can be used to produce electricity. Clostridium cellulolyticum and Bacilli E1 were used to activate EFB degradation and electricity generation respectively. It was also demonstrated that the present EFB based MFC was affected in terms of power produced with much higher power was obtained at 37.5 ℃ with power value of 825 ± 3.08 mW/m2 compared to 25 and 50 ℃, which produced 756 ± 1.14 mW/m2 and 345 ± 1.78 mW/m2. At elevated temperature (50 ℃) showed decrease of power density value compared to lower temperature operated MFC, which is believed to be microbial metabolism dependent.