Performance optimisation of microbial fuel cell for wastewater treatment and sustainable clean energy generation using response surface methodology

In this study, response surface methodology (RSM), coupled with central composite design (CCD), are applied to optimise the performance of a microbial fuel cell (MFC) as a function of three main factors of commercialisation. Pt, as the main obstacle for commercialisation in the range of 0.1–0.5 mg/cm2, degree of sulphonation in SPEEK, as a new proton exchange membrane in the range of 20–80%, and rate of aeration of cathode between 10 and 150 ml/min were optimised to identify a more commercial MFC. The single maximum response of power density and COD removal and simultaneous maximisation of both responses were obtained at the corresponding optimal independent variables. The results show that the optimised condition for power density and COD removal is at DS 68% and aeration of 121.62 ml/min. However, the pt load differs and is 0.42 mg/cm2 for produced power density and 0.28 mg/cm2 for COD removal. The maximum produced power density in the optimised situation was 58.19 mW/m2 while the maximum COD removal in the optimised condition was 94.8%. However, once we optimised both at the same time i.e., the power generation and COD removal, the degree of sulphonation (DS) was 68%, Pt load was 0.35 mg/cm2 and the aeration rate was 121.62 ml/min, which resulted in a power production of about 57.06 mW/m2 and COD removal of 92.7%. Keywords: Wastewater treatment, Sustainable energy, Microbial fuel cell, Optimisation, Response surface methodology