Factors Affecting the Performance of Single Chamber Microbial Fuel Cell Using a Novel Configuration

In this study, the single chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC) with annular configuration and spiral anode geometry is proposed for future large-scale applications. Dairy wastewater containing complex organicmatter was used as substrate. Factors affecting power generation and internal resistance of this MFC such assubstrate injection, electrode surface area, and substrate concentration were investigated to elucidate the effects of the MFC configuration and operating conditions on its performance. The results show that with decreasing anode surface area output current is reduced. With decreasing anode surface area from 2×63 to 2×38cm, output current is reduced about 34%. In measurement of open circuit voltage, replacement of old wastewaterby fresh ones the open circuit voltage significantly increased. Also, enhancement of wastewater concentration shows an increase in the MFC power density. The MFC which was fed with wastewater with lower COD had a shorter batch time than that of the higher wastewater COD