Clean Energy Innovation from Molasses as Sustainable and Energy Resource Based on Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) Technology

Abstract

Microbial Fuel Cell. MFC is an environmentally friendly technology that converts organic materials into electrical energy with the help of microorganisms. The purpose of this study was to utilize molasses from sugar industry waste as an alternative energy source that is economically valuable, and environmentally friendly, and to design an MFC system. This study used a double-compartment method, namely the anode and cathode chambers. The anode chamber contains a mixture of molasses substrate, potassium phosphate buffer solution pH 7, and bacteria. While the cathode chamber contains a 0.2 M KMnO4 electrolyte solution. Energy measurements were carried out every 4 hours for 36 hours. The results of the energy measurements obtained the maximum current and potential difference values ​​of 828 mV and 791 µA. The power density value was obtained from the current strength and potential difference values ​​of 897.185 mW/m2. These results indicate that molasses waste has the potential to be used as an alternative energy source using a double-compartment MFC design with the advantages of being economically valuable and environmentally friendly.