Energy production with removal of lead and chromium from wastewater through microbial fuel cells energized by organic waste substrate

Microbial fuel cells (MFC) are recognized for their effectiveness in both wastewater treatment and the generation of electricity from organic substrates. However, when considering the use of MFC, it is important to take note of some factors that might affect the efficiency and performance of MFC. One of the challenges with MFC is the organic substrate’s instability. This study used pineapple waste to increase bacterial activity to improve electron generation. This research highlights pineapple waste as an organic substrate to generate electricity with metal removal in MFC. The experiment conducted in this study ran continuously for 40 days while employing an external resistance (1000 Ω). The highest peak voltage reached on day 20 which gives the voltage of 210 mV. An achieved maximum PD was 1.92 mW/m² at 1000 Ω during the polarization studies. The removal efficiency of Cr³⁺ is around 73.98%, while that of Pb²⁺ is approximately 66.76% within 40 days. In this study, the oxidation mechanism and electron transfer of pineapple waste have been elucidated. It also explained how MFC reduces heavy metals and generates bioenergy throughout the operation. Future challenges and recommendations are also included in this study with fruitful concluding remarks.