Optimization of Microbial Fuel Cell Operational Parameters for the Treatment of Brewery Sludge

Abstract

This study investigates the potential of a salt bridge-mediated microbial fuel cell (MFC) for power generation and wastewater sludge treatment in breweries. Unlike traditional “one-parameter-at-a-time” methodologies, this study uses a three-variable Box–Behnken design response surface methodology to optimize critical MFC operational parameters. The effects of parameters such as solution pH, salt bridge molarity, and temperature were studied in the range of 4 to 10, 1 to 5 M, and 20 to 45 g L⁻¹. The optimum operating parameters were found to be solution pH of 5.853, salt bridge molarity of 3.343 M, and temperature of 32.5 °C for chemical oxygen demand and biological oxygen demand removal efficiencies of 92.485 % and 88.51 %, respectively. Temperature was found to be the most significant factor affecting the reactor's performance.