I am Satvik Lahiry Bhattacharya and I am pleased to share a sustainable solution to the problem of accumulation of excess sewage water in chemical and industrial plants. The project targets enviormental sustainability, though due to high installation expenses, economic sustainability might be hampered to some extent, yes. However, the main objective is to electrolyse sewage water between 2 protein coated bioelectrodes such that an Electromotive force is induced externally on the microbial fuel cell apparatus and by the effect of this externally induced electric field or EMF, the electrons lost by biocathode due to oxidation move towards bioanode and are absorbed by the anode. A conductor is connected to anode and electrons flowing through conductor causing flow of electricity. However this electrical output is not sufficient as the solvation energy derived from the electrolysis is less than bond energy, and thus this electrical energy needs to be amplified. To find out how it is amplified, kindly refer to the powerpoint presentation. Thank you!

1. SUSTAINABLE GENERATION OF
ELECTRICITY FROM SEWAGE AND
SLUDGE USING MICROBIAL FUEL
CELLS (MFCs) AND AUTOMATED
BIOSENSORS
(SATVIK LAHIRY BHATTACHARYA)
CLASS 9
BGKV

2. ABSTRACT:
The main objective of this particular project is to utilize sewage water, solid waste, sludge gas and
metabolic biochemical wastes, which are potentially hazardous and accumulate in high amounts
every year and are required to be eliminated, for generation of electrical energy when passed through
automated and controlled or self assembling electrobiochemical apparatus called Microbial Fuel Cell
systems or MFCs and biosensors used for detection of chemical and bioorganic chemical reactions,
for large scale industrial level and chemical plants .The chemical energy derived from these chains of
bioorganic reactions caused by combining macromolecules and microbe action or decomposition,
undergoes a complex series of energy transformations through the apparatus, DC and AC generators
and finally gets converted into electrical energy which can be used for domestic purposes. This also
contributes to enviormental sustainability which is indispensable now.

3. PROCEDURE TO APPLY THE PROCESS
By passing the sewage first through chambers having chemical catalysts to facilitate
the bioorganic reactions, with attached biochemical sensors, for detecting chemical
reactions and sending ouput signals,(these signals are then percieved by
mechanochemical system which helps to coordinate chemical energy towards that
system), then chemical energy derived from the reactions is passed through a
mechanochemical apparatus in which HYDROGENwill be used as a fuel to convert
the chemical energy to heat energy to mechanical energy(through a complex system
of pistons and engines) and this mechanical energy and the remaining outflowing
HYDROGENwill be used to power a turbine, so that the amplified mechanical energy
produced by further rotation of turbine blades, gets converted to electrical energy
when passed through a DC motor and this electrical energy will be supplied through
poles and wires for domestic use.

4. SEWAGE WATER IN CHAMBERS→BIOORGANIC
REACTIONS (RATE OF DECOMPOSITION IS ACCELERATED
BY ACTION OF MICROORGANISMS LIKE BACTERIA AND
OTHER INDUCED BIOCATALYSTS)
SENT TO MICROBIAL ELECTROLYSIS APPARATUS, WHERE
DISSOCIATION AND DISCHARGE OCCURS,AND ALSO IT IS USED
TO GENERATE HYDROGEN AND METHANE.(COAGULATION ALSO
OCCURS, TO PREVENT FLOCCULATION,
ETHYLENEDIAMENETETRAACETIC ACID IS GIVEN)
HYDROGEN COMBUSTION ALONG (WITH SAME FOR
METHANE) IS CARRIED OUT IN A COMB. CHAMBER AND
THEN ALONG WITH HYDROGEN GAS FROM CATHODE OF
ELECTROLYTIC CELL) SO CHEMICAL ENERGY→HEAT
ENERGY→MECHANICAL ENERGY
NOW THIS MECHANICAL ENERGY CAUSES ROTATION OF
TURBINE, ALSO THE ROTATION OF TURBINE FURTHER
AMPLIFIES THE MECHANICAL ENERGY. THE HYDROGEN
CAN ALSO BE USED TO POWER THE TURBINE.
THIS AMPLIFIED MECHANICAL ENERGY CHANGES INTO
ELECTRICAL ENERGY USING A DC GENERATOR, THEN THE
ELECTRIC CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH CONDUCTOR FOR
SUPPLY)
ELECTRICAL OUTPUT DERIVED FROM ELECTROLYSIS AND
OTHER CHEMICAL REACTIONS VIA ELECTROCHEMICAL
CONVERSION IN MFC CAN ALSO BE SUPPLIED IN FORM
OF ELECTRICITY THROUGH APPROPRIATE CIRCUITING.

5. ACCELERATION OF DECOMPOSITION RATE
• Sewage water with other suspended wastes will accumulate first in
the chambers through an alteration of inlet and outlet pipes. Sludge
will be separated out in a separate tank. Organocatalysts used for
accelerating sludge decomposition rate will be: peroxymonosulphate
and acetaldehyde. Added to this, bacteria like
cidaminococcaceae, Enterococcaceae, Eubacteriaceae, Lachnospirac
eae, Peptostreptococcaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Streptococcaceae, V
eillonellaceae present in sewage water will act as natural
biocatalysts due to their lipoproteinic membrane nature, their
endocytotic and exocytoyic behavioural pattern.

6. • ORGANIC REACTIONS PREVALANT IN SEWAGE CHAMBERS
• There are different stages of decomposition and organo-biochemical reactions associated
with it which govern them. This also facilitates aeration for oxygen requiring reactions
such that the aerobic bacteria eliminate most of the solid waste.
• Order of reactions is also proportional to rate of reaction in sewage decomposition.
• For a general reaction, reaction rate is given by:
R= KCa or R= k(A)^x(B)^y
 (Where (A) and (B) denote concentrations of Reactants A and B
In a reaction Aa +Bb → Cc + Dd
 Where exponents x and y denote the partial reaction orders for
Reactants A and B which may or may not be numerically
Equivalent to their stoichiometric coefficients a and b.
 The proportionality constant here “k” is the rate constant of the
Reaction.

7. • So for increasing rate of reaction, partial reaction orders have to be incremented.
• Now this water is sent to an MFC (microbial fuel cell) apparatus, which further lays out to a
mechanochemical system.
• In this non mediated fuel cell apparatus, there is a chamber having microbial electrolysis system,
that utilizes the activity of microorganisms for generation of hydrogen gas.
• Sewage water is an apparent colloidal system, the dispersed phase particles is of opposite charge as
the dispersion medium particles. So when it is electrolysed between cathode and anode, or when an
electrolyte is introduced to the system, the charges on the colloidal particles gets neutralized, and
thus the colloidal particles adopt dimensions of suspension particles, this results in coagulation
followed by flocculation or formation of bacterial masses held by floc like meshes. To avoid the
formation of these bacterial biofilms, EDTA (Ethylenediamenetetraacetic acid,
SCF: [CH2N(CH2CO2H)2]2.) is added to the water.
• By electrolysis, the water dissociates into it’s component ions H+ and OH-. So hydrogen is obtained at
cathode, oxygen at anode.

8. ETHYLENEDIAMENETETRAACETIC ACID (EDTA)
STATISTICS
STRUCTURAL CONDENSED FORMULA: [CH2N(CH2CO2H)2]2
MOLECULAR FORMULA: C10H16N2O8
MELTING POINT: 237 °C

9. REACTIONS OF EDTA WITH FORMALDEHYDE

10. INDUCED EFFECT OF ETHYLENEDIAMENETETRAACATIC
ACID(EDTA) ON FLOCCULATION DECELERATION RATE:
STATISTICAL RESULTS

11. • Now as H+ is a cation that goes to cathode, oxidation (loss of electrons) of the cathode occurs .By
externally inducing an electromotive force of high magnitude or an electric field on the microbial
fuel cell aparatus, these electrons can be diverted towards the anode, and then passed through a
conductor, to produce electric current. However as it is a decomposition reaction, the bond energy
(reqd. for breaking bonds) is greater than the solvation energy, due to which electrical current
derived from less solvation energy is not sufficient and often fluctuates. This electricity needs to be
amplified or stabilised.
• Now combustion of hydrogen gas(SOME OF WHICH IS SUPPLIED EXTERNALLY AND SOME OF WHICH
IS DERIVED FROM CATHODE) in another combustion chamber is carried out. Due to derivation of
methane gas from the electrolysis, CO2 AND H2O are formed.
2H2 +O2 → 2H2O.
CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H20
(In case any CO is produced due to insufficient oxygen for combustion of carbon, it can be passed
through electrostatic precipitators ).

12. • This hydrogen gas is subjected to a high magnitude thrust.
Algebraically,
PV = NRT
So P₁V₁ = N₁RT₁ (R is ideal gas constant ).
ƩPV = P₁V₁ + P₂V₂ + P₃V₃ + ……. PnVⴖ
= N₁RT₁ + N₂RT₂ + N₃RT₃ + ……. NnRTn
= R(N₁T₁ + N₂T₂ + N₃T₃ + …… NnTn) ….[By factorization as R is a constant]
= ƩNRT

13. ALGEBRAIC NOTATION PHYSICAL QUANTITY DENOTED
P Pressure exerted by gas
V Volume of gas
n No. of moles of gas taken
R Ideal gas constant (8.3144626 J/K/mol
T Temperature (here, in Kelvin)

14. • So as ƩNRTlim →0.
b= n
= ∫NRT = ∫PndVn ….. [ By integration of d/dx of f(x), i.e., V](i)
a=0
VOLUME FLOWRATE THROUGH PIPES [ FOR SEWAGE]
Volume flow rate : Δv / Δt lim Δt → 0 = dv/ dt. (Instantaneous volume flow rate)
= d(πR²h) / dt ….( as pipe is cylindrical and R= internal radius)
(pipe is cylindrical)
Now h=s, so, dh/dt = v
= (d(πR²)/ dt)v

15. = (d(πR²)/ dt)v
= [{π(dR²/dt)} + {R²(dπ/dt)}]v …( Product rule of differentiation)(ii)
= [π( 2R) + R² x 0]v ….. (Differentiation rule (iii))
= 2πRv
Thus volume flow rate can be incremented by incrementation of either of the
terms “R”( increasing internal radius of pipe) or “v” (by increasing length of pipe or
by increasing overall cross sectional area). [ as v= ds/dt and here s=h, so v = dh/dt
where h is the length of cross section of pipe). It is efficient if both height( cross
sectional column length) and radius are incremented.

16. ALGEBRAIC NOTATION PHYSICAL QUANTITY DENOTED
R Internal radius of cylindrical pipe.
h Height or cross sectional length of column
v Velocity of water in pipe
V Volume of water flowing through pipe
t Unit time
S Distance travelled by water (=h or height of the column)

17. • MASS FLOWRATE :(considering another factor- density)
Mass flow rate of sewage per unit time is given by:
Δm / Δt lim Δt →0 = dm/dt (instantaneous mass flow rate)
= d( vρ)/ dt. …...(ii)
= v (dρ/dt) + ρ( dv/dt)
or, d(πR²hρ)/dt
= [d(πR² ρ)/ dt]v ….. ( v= dh/dt as h=S)
(Note: At a given instant, sewage water has variable density depending upon
the amount of incoming solid waste getting suspended or dissolved in it.)

18. ALGEBRAIC NOTATION PHYSICAL QUANTITY DENOTED
R Internal radius of cylindrical pipe.
h Height or cross sectional length of column
v Velocity of water in pipe
V Volume of water flowing through pipe
t Unit time
S Distance travelled by water (=h or height of the column)
ρ (Rho) Density variable for inflowing sewage
m Mass of water flowing through the pipe

19. WHY HYDROGEN???
• Hydrogen as a fuel
• Why use Hydrogen as a fuel?
• a) High calorific value(~1,50,000 Kj/kg as compared to CNG
• ~50,000Kj/kg)
• b) No impact on the carbon footprint(has only pure H2O as
• the emission. GHG’s and CFC’s are not produced)
• c) It is an excellent energy carrier
• d) Low ignition temperature
• e) For 2nd and 3rd world countries like India, it significantly
• reduces the burden of oil imports, boosting the economy
• f) Reduces the overall dependency on fossil fuels and has a
• much greener impact on the environment. It also provides
• a healthy alternative to non-renewable resources.
• g) More energy efficient than fossil fuels in long distance
• travel/transportation
• h) Presents a wide array of uses as
• rocket fuel.

20. • With minimal modification, Hydrogen can be used as a hyper-efficient rocket fuel(as has been proved
by two researchers at the Harvard University recently, by creating such a form of Hydrogen which couldrevolutionize
Rocketry forever, for it releases energy almost 4times as that of existing rocket fuels. This project was funded even
by NASA)
Finds tremendous applications in the heavy industry(iron& steel, cement,etc.), which are main producers of
pollutants.

21. Is Hydrogen safe?
• Many agree that Hydrogen is quite a safe fuel to use commercially. According to a simulation carried out by the
DoE, USA on comparisons between a Hydrogen powered car and a gasoline powered car in case of a leak, the
results were largely in Hydrogen’s favor. While it was observed that the Hydrogen flame burned bright and very
hot, the internal car parts remained undamaged. In fact, the rear windows’ temperature rose only 13°F! the
temperature near the steering wheel remained almost the same. On the other hand, the gasoline tank of the
other car burst into flames, and the fire continued to grow in strength, damaging and burning all the internal
parts of the car permanently.
• Hydrogen is the lightest gas in the universe, therefore experiences a large upthrust, and rises in the air quickly,
reducing the risks of it catching fire or damaging life and property at the ground level if it is used in a well-
ventilated space. The procedures for obtaining Hydrogen also support the Circular Carbon Economy and
promote Carbon capture and storage (CSS processes), again, reducing GHG and CFC emissions, and reducing
global warming. Hydrogen also can be used to produce electricity, which can be harnessed through the
electrolysis process. The energy is stored in a “Fuel Cell” and utilized accordingly. The automobiles running on
these fuel cells are called FCEV’s (Fuel cell electric vehicles). Many companies like Hyundai, Toyota, etc. have
launched car series powered by Hydrogen.

22. • Why it is a revolutionary fuel?
• a) It causes NO POLLUTION (emission only water vapor & steam)
• b) Refueling time is low
• c) It easily replaces the bulky lithium-ion batteries in the automobiles, which take up
a significant amount of weight in the vehicle.
• d) Specific energy of Hydrogen is 35,000W/kg compared to 200-300W/kg of
Lithium-Ion batteries
• e) In case of a leak, Hydrogen is much safer than gasoline or other conventional
fuels, because other gases tend to linger at ground level, increasing damage if they
catch flames, while Hydrogen rises and dissipates quickly. Moreover, Hydrogen is
only explosive at concentrations of 19-59%, as compared to just 1-3% for Gasoline

23. • . How can we efficiently modify the conditions where Hydrogen is used to make it safe? Hydrogen is
the lightest known element, and therefore it floats up into the air quite easily, thus has high
diffusability. It does not have to be a potential hazard (as in flammability) if it is stored properly. The
following modifications can be done to reduce the risk of a blast caused by Hydrogen— a) Keep
Hydrogen powered vehicles in well ventilated, open areas
• b) An exit valve for Hydrogen can be provided leave the engine in case of any pressure fluctuations
or leaks(this exit valve should be facing upward so as to further decrease the chances of any
hydrogen lingering at ground level, to lessen the chances of an (This graph seems to suggest the
Hydrogen could be the ideal fuel for long distance transportation, and bulk transport of goods)
explosion. This was even proved by the results of a simulation conducted by the National key
research and development program of China)
• c) If Hydrogen tanks/ automobiles must be kept in a confined space, then Hydrogen sensors keeping
check of the % of Hydrogen can leak out into the surroundings can be employed. (India has already
manufactured one such successful Hydrogen sensor, at the BARC- Bhaba atomic research Centre,
Mumbai)
• d) A foul-smelling compound, ethyl mercaptan can also be added to hydrogen to easily detect its
leakage, as Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless gas.

24. • As hydrogen burns out,
Chemical energy →Heat energy → Mechanical energy
This mechanical energy is supplied to a turbine, and now the
leftover hydrogen gas (which did not combine due to limiting
agent) can be used to power a turbine. So this causes rotational
movement of turbine blades, which further amplifies the
available mechanical energy so that a stable electrical output is
obtained. This amplification is useful as it increases the total
mechanical input, thereby maximizing electrical output.

25. • Now the maximized mechanical energy gets converted into large electrical energy via a DC (Direct
current generator).
• The movement of the turbine also causes movement of piston and engine which causes magnetic
flux within motor to change.
A DC generator is an electrical machine whose main function is to convert mechanical energy into
electricity. When the conductor slashes magnetic flux, an emf will be generated based on the
electromagnetic induction principle of Faraday’s Laws. This electromotive force can cause a flow of
electrons when the conductor circuit is closed.
Electrical output to some extent is also proportional to speed of motor.
MATHEMATICAL STATEMENT OF FARADAY’S LAWS:
For a loop of wire in a magnetic field, the magnetic flux ΦB is defined for
any surface Σ whose boundary is the given loop. Since the wire loop may be moving, we write Σ(t) for
the surface. The magnetic flux is the surface integral:

27. • (Given dA is an element of surface area
of the moving surface Σ(t), B is the
magnetic field, and B · dA is a vector
dot product representing the element
of flux through dA. In more visual
terms, the magnetic flux through the
wire loop is proportional to the
number of magnetic field lines that
pass through the loop.)

28. FUNDAMENTAL FORMULAE RELATED TO DC SHUNT
GENERATOR

29. • This electrical energy is allowed to flow through poles and
wires and is finally supplied for domestic purposes like lighting
etc. from the primary unit.
• Also, the electrical energy derived from the MFC induced field
due to diversion of electrons from cathode to anode is also
then passed through copper conductors and a circuit to supply
electricity from a secondary unit.

30. REFERENCES :
…..(i): ∫ f[a (dx)] = ax + C [ where C is constant]…(Identity of
integral calculus)…[Slide 13]
…...(ii): Product rule of differentiation (UV rule):
Consider a function UV, so d(uv)/dx = u x (dv/dx) + v x (du/dx).
…..[Slides 14 and 16]
…...(iii) Differentiation of a constant is always = 0.
Consider a constant ‘k’, then d(k)/dx = 0.
……[Slide 14].

31. THANKYOU !