This document summarizes a student thesis on using microbial fuel cells (MFCs) to generate electricity from wastewater. The student aims to demonstrate electricity production from wastewater and examine wastewater degradation efficiency when using MFCs. Flat plate MFCs will be used with ethanol wastewater as the substrate and inoculum. Voltage, power, and chemical oxygen demand removal will be analyzed. Previous research showed current densities from MFCs ranged from 0.015 to 0.15 mA/cm2 depending on the substrate, inoculum source, and MFC type. The student concludes that electricity can be generated from MFCs using ethanol wastewater and this study may help improve MFC performance

1. Microbial Fuel Cells: Conversion
of Organic Matter to Electricity
Miss Jiraphorn Lubsungnoen ID: M5430116
School: Biotechnology
Institute: Agricultural Technology
Thesis advisor: Asst. Prof. Dr. Apichat Boontawan

2. Introduction
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs)

3. Objective
• To demonstrate electricity could be
generate from wastewater.
• To examine efficiency of wastewater
degradation when using MFCs.

4. Methodology
MFCs configurations and running
• Flat plate microbial fuel cell
• Ethanol wastewater >> source inoculums
and substrate
• Phosphate buffer solution >> Basal
medium

5. Analyze
• Voltage output and power generation
• Chemical oxygen demand (COD)
removal of the wastewater

6. Result from previous research
Substrate Source Type of MFCs Current density
inoculums (mA/cm²)
Corn stove Domestic Single chamber/ 0.15
biomass wastewater carbon paper anode
/carbon cloth cathode
Ethanol Anaerobic Double chamber 0.025
sludge from aqueous cathode
wastewater /carbon paper
plant electrodes
Starch Starch Single chamber 0.09
processing processing /carbon paper anode /
wastewater wastewater air cathode

7. Discussion
• The factor that affect the MFCs
performance are substrate , source
inoculums, type of MFC ,operation
condition and other.
• Application of MFCs are limited
because of their low power density .

8. Conclusion
• Electricity will be generating from
MFCs using ethanol wastewater as
substrate. So , this study will be
leading improve the performance of
MFCs for practical application.

9. Thank you