Keren Keziah F. Tangarorang | Kevin B. Gepulle | Florenzo Isaac E. Romance | Luzviminda A. Dinglasan | Gil Nonato C. Santos
Electrical energy demand and sludge sanitation problems grow rapidly. While sludge treatment requires a huge amount of electricity, sludge itself may be utilized to harness a lot of energy. This study determined the potential of Diesel Exhaust Particles (DEPs) and Zeolite as anode and cathode, respectively, to generate a voltage in Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) and identify the organisms that were present on the electrodes. DEP and Zeolite were collected and pulverized into fine powder. DEP (330mg) and Zeolite (330mg) were pasted on 2.5cmx3cm steel mesh using 1mL nail polish. Morphologies of the electrodes were examined using Jeol, JSM- v45310 SEM and elemental compositions were determined using EDX. MFCs with sludge and tap water as substrates for anode and cathode, respectively, and were measured individually for voltage production using a multitester. Bacteria present on the electrode were isolated and identified phenotypically up to genus level. SEM and EDX results showed DEP has a nanospherical structure with an average particle size of 57.28nm, which increases the voltage generation by increasing the surface area, DEP is composed of 39.73% C while Zeolite has Al and Si which indicates the adsorption capability of Zeolite. Voltage outputs of the MFCs for 24h were calculated by area under the curve: Mesh- Mesh (6,480mVh), Mesh-Zeolite (5,895mVh), DEP-Mesh (8,082mVh),DEP-Zeolite (8,022mVh) and DEP-Zeolite (tap water-52.46mVh). The second setup was made using DEP-Z and was observed for 24h which produced a total power of 294.24 mWh. Isolated and characterized Pseudomonas spp. and Aeromonas spp. from the surface of the electrodes in the MFCs possibly contributed to voltage generation. DEP is a bio-compatible anode to Aeromonas spp. and Pseudomonas spp. while an adsorptive Zeolite as a cathode enhances voltage production. Hence, DEP and Zeolite can be fabricated as a biocompatible anode and adsorptive zeolite for low-cost MFC technology.
1. Alves CA., Barbosa C., Rocha S., Calvo A., Nunes T., Cerqueira M., Pio C., Karanasiou A., Querol, X. “Elements and Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in exhaust particles emitted by light-duty vehicles.” Environmental Science Pollution Research Int., 15, (2015): 99-116
2. Baerlocher C., McCusker, L., and Olson, D.“Atlas of zeolite framework types” 6th Edition, Elsevier (2007): 7.
3. Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, 2nd edition (2005).
4. Caparanga, A.R., and Balatbat, A.S., “Simultaneous Heavy Metal Treatment and Energy Generation using Pseudomonas Aeroginosa in a Microbial Fuel Cell.” AlChe. (2015),
5. Chaudhari N.K., Song M.Y., and Yu, J.S., “Heteroatom-doped highly porous carbon from human urine.” Scientific Reports. 4, (2014). 1-10.
6. Choi, C., and Cui, Y. “Recovery of silver from wastewater coupled with power generation using a microbial fuel cell.” Bioresource Technology. 107., (2012): 522-525.
7. Chouler, J., Padgett, G., Cameron, P., Preuss, K., Titirici, M.M., Ieropoulos I. and Lorenzo, M.D., “Towards effective small scale microbial fuel cells for energy production from urine.” Electrochimica Acta 192., (2016): 89-98.
8. Ghasemi, M., Daud, W.R.W., Hasaan, S.H.A., Oh, S.E., Ismail M., Rahimnejad M., and Jahim, J.M.,“Nano-structured carbon as electrode material in microbial fuel cells: A comprehensive review.” Journal of Alloys and Compounds. ,(2013): 245-255.
9. Hilario, J., “Sanitary Inspection, Water and Sediment Analysis of Estero de Sampaloc- A Movement Towards Environmental Sustainability and Stewardship” International Journal of Environment and Pollution Research. 3.2(2015): 19-31
10. Hsieh, M.C., Cheng, C.Y., Liu M.H., and Chung, Y.C. “Effects of Operating Parameters on Measurements of Biochemical Oxygen Demand Using a Mediatorless Microbial Fuel Cell Biosensor.” Sensors (2015): 35. 1-10
11. Ibrahim, K., Khoury, H., and Tuffaha, R., “Mo and Ni Removal Drinking Water Using Zeolitic Tuff from Jordan.” Minerals, 6, (2016): 1-13
12. International Energy Agency “Growth in primary energy demand in Southeast Asian” (2015). http://www.iea.org/newsroom/graphics/2014-09-23-asean-primary-energy-demand-growth.html
13. Karale, M., Kadam, T., Bhosale, H., and Maske, B. “Characterization of Anthracene Degrading bacteria from Drug Industry Effluent Polluted Soil.” Archives of Applied Science Research, 7(11), (2015): 16-22.
14. Kumari, S., Mangwani, N. and Das, S., “Low-voltage producing microbial fuel cell constructs using biofilm-forming marine bacteria” Current Science, 108.5 (2015) 925-932
15. Lee, D., Miller, A., Kittleson, D., and Zachariah, M., “Characterization of metal-bearing diesel Nanoparticles using single-particle mass spectroscopy” Elsevier (2006) 88-110
16. Li, S., He, H., Zeng, R. and Sheng, G., “Chitin degradation and electricity generation by Aeromonas hydrophila in microbial fuel cells” Chemosphere (2016):293-299
17. Logan, B., Hamelers, B., Rozendal, R., Schroder, U., Keller, J., Freguia, S., Aelterman, P., Verstraete, W., and Rabaey, K. “Microbial Fuel Cells: Methodology and Technology.” Environmental Science and Technology 40, No.17, (2006): 5181-5192.
18. Ma, J., Xu, L., Jia, L. “Degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by Pseudomonas sp. JM2 isolated from active sewage sludge of chemical plant.” J Environ Sci (China). (12) (2012); 2141-8.
19. Madigan, M., Matinko, J., Dunlap P. and Clark, D. “Brock's Biology of Microorganism.” 12 edn, International Microbiology. (2008): 65-73
20. Manoj, B., Sreelaksmi, S., Anu. N, Mohan, A.G. Kunjomana “Characterization of Diesel Soot from the Combustion in Engine by X-ray and Spectroscopic techniques.” International Journal of Electrochemical Science. 7 (2012): 3215 – 3221.
21. Masih, S., Devasahayam, M., Srivastava, R. and Gupta, S. “Enterobacter Species Specific Microbial Fuel Cells Show Increased Power Generation with High Coulombic Efficiency” Trends in Biosciences 5.2 (2012): 114-118
22. Mattia, D., Rossi, M., Kim, B., Korneva, G., Bau, H. and Gogotsi, Y. “Effect of Graphitization on the Wettability and Electrical Conductivity of CVD-Carbon Nanotubes and Films.” J. Phys. Chem. B (2006): 9850-9855.
23. McCarty, P., Bae, J., Kim, J. “Domestic wastewater treatment as a net energy producer—can this be achieved?” Environ. Sci. Technol. 45 (17). (2011): 7100–7106.
24. Motos, P., Heijne, A., Weijden, R., Saakes, M., Buisman, C., and Sleutels, T. “High rate copper and energy recovery in microbial fuel cell.” Frontiers of Microbiology. 6 (2015): 1-5.
25. Munthali, M., Elsheikh, M., Johan E., and Matsue, N. “Proton Adsorption Selectivity of Zeolites in Aqueous Media: Effect of Si/Al Ratio of Zeolites” Molecules 19 (2014): 20469.
26. Oh, S. and Logan, B. “Voltage reversal during microbial fuel cell stack operation” Journal of Power Sources 167 (2007) 11–17.
27. Pabst, W. and Gregorová, E. “Characterization of particles and particle systems” ICT Prague (2007) 1-122.
28. Patil, S., Hagerhall, C. and Gorton, Lo. “Electron transfer mechanisms between microorganisms and electrodes in bioelectrochemical systems.” Bioanal Rev 4 (2012): 159-192.
29. Picão, R., Cardosoa, J., Campana, E., Nicoletti, A., Petrolini, F., Assis, D., Juliano, L., and Gales, A “The route of antimicrobial resistance from the hospital effluent to the environment: Focus on the occurrence of KPC-producing Aeromonas spp. and Enterobacteriaceae in sewage.” Elsevier 76.1 (2013): 80–85.
30. Quinto, E. and Santos, M. “A Guidebook to Plant Screening: Phytochemical and Biological, Revised Ed.”UST Publ, Manila. Phil, (2005): 24-25.
31. Ris, C., "US EPA health assessment for Diesel Engine Exhaust: a review."Inhal. Toxicol., (19). (2007): 229-239.
32. Rissler J, Swietlicki E, Bengtsson A, Boman C, Pagels J, Sandström T, Blomberg A, Löndahl “Experimental determination of deposition of diesel exhaust particles in the human 2013 respiratory tract.”J Aerosol Sci. 48 (2012): 18–33.
33. Sabri, S., Nielsen, L., and Vickers, C. “Molecular Control of Sucrose Utilization in Escherichia coli W, an Efficient Sucrose-Utilizing Strain.” Appl Environ Microbiol. (2013): 478–487..
34. Sanchez, E. and Pelicano, C. “Characterization of Philippine Natural Zeolite and its Application for Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) Treatment”. Engineering Materials (2017).
35. Schroder, U. “Anodic electron transfer mechanisms in microbial fuel cells and their energy efficiency.” Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 9 (2007): 2619-2629.
36. Sevda, S. and Sreekishnan, TR. “Effect of salt concentration and mediators in salt bridge microbial fuel cell for electricity generation from synthetic wastewater.” J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng. 2012;47(6):878-86.
37. Solidum, J. and Solidum, G. “Assessment and Remediation of Heavy Metals in Community Tap Water from Manila, Philippines” International Conference on Environment Science and Engieering 32 (2012):16.
38. Tan, D., Tan, J., Atanacio, M., and Delantar, R. “Potential of Root Crops as Source of Electrical Energy.”Annals of Tropical Research. 35.2 (2014): 22-39.
39. Wang H., Wang G., Ling Y., Qian F., Song Y., Lu X., Chen S., Tong Y., Li Y. “High power density microbial fuel cell with flexible 3D graphene-nickel foam as anode” Nanoscale 5(2013):10283-10290.
40. Vander Wal, R. L., Yezerets, A., Currier, N. W., Kim, D. H. & Wang, C. M. HRTEM Study of diesel soot collected from diesel particulate filters. Carbon 45 (2007): 70–77
41. Wu, X., Tong, F., Song, T., Gao, X., Xie, J., Zhao, C., Zhang, C., and Wei, P. “Effect of zeolite coated anode on the performance of microbial fuel cells.” JChemTechnolBiotechnol 90 (2013): 87-92.
42. W. R. Grace & Co. “Synthetic Non-fibrous Zeolites Product Stewardship Summary.” Enriching Lives, Everywhere. – Zeolite Structure Archived 15 February 2009.
43. Yang, W., He, W., Zhang F., Hickner, M., and Logan, B.“Single-Step Fabrication Using a P h a s e Inversion Method of Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) Activated Carbon Air Cathodes for Microbial Fuel Cells.” Environmental Sci. Technol. Lett.(2014):416−420.
44. Yang, Y., Liu, T., Zhu, X., Zhang, F., Ye, D., Liao, Q., and, Li Y. “Boosting Power Density of Microbial Fuel Cells with 3D Nitrogen‐Doped Graphene Aerogel Electrode.” Adv.Sci (Weinheim) 1600097. (2016): 1-8.
45. Yuan, H., Deng, L., Qi,Y., Kobayashi, N., Tang, J. “Nonactivated and Activated Biochar Derived from Bananas as Alternative Cathode Catalyst in Microbial Fuel Cells.” Hindawi. The Scientific World Journal 2014 (2014):1-8.
46. Zhao, S., Li, Y., Yin, H., Liu, Z., Luan, E., Zhao, F., Tang, Z., and Liu, S.”Three-dimensional graphene/Pt nanoparticle composites as freestanding anode for enhancing performance of microbial fuel cells.” American Association for the Advancement of Science. (2015): Pg 1-8.
ISSN 2362-8073 (Print)
Philippine E-Journals
