title: Effect of C/N ratio and salinity on power generation in compost microbial fuel cells.
abstract: In this work, compost Microbial Fuel Cells (cMFCs) were used to generate electricity from a mix of fruit and vegetable wastes, and soil with different C/N ratios and salinities. Experiments were carried out in 500mL cMFCs equipped with carbon felt anodes and manganese dioxide cathodes. The cMFCs were loaded with fresh compost and operated at 20-23°C for up to 97days. The low C/N ratio (C/N 24) had a greater power production with a maximum power density of 5.29mW/m(2) (71.43mW/m(3)), indicating a more favorable condition for microbial growth. High-saline cMFCs produced lower power, suggesting that their level of salinity (10g/L of NaCl) inhibited electricigenic microorganisms. The closed-circuit cMFC showed an improved degradation of organic matter by 6% to 8% compared to the control MFC operated in an open circuit mode (no external resistor attached).
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioresource Engineering, Macdonald Campus, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada.
authors.forename: Jauharah
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Md Khudzari
authors.affiliation: National Research Council of Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Quebec H4P 2R2, Canada.
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tartakovsky
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioresource Engineering, Macdonald Campus, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada. Electronic address: vijaya.raghavan@mcgill.ca.
authors.forename: G S Vijaya
authors.initials: GSV
authors.lastname: Raghavan
mesh_terms: D000693:Anaerobiosis; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D056804:Biofuels; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D008697:Methane / Q000378:metabolism; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D054712:Salinity; D012987:Soil
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D012987:Soil; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002244:Carbon; D009584:Nitrogen; D008697:Methane
keywords: Anaerobic digestion; Biodegradation; Compost microbial fuel cell; Composting