Estimated time span of mixed cultures for up-flow microbial fuel cell by measuring of potential difference

The power generation was studied using a lab scale up-flow microbial fuel cell (UMFC). The experiments were initially set for flow of a single batch of sewage substrate over whole period of time to characterize the maximum activity time span of bacteria cultures. This was done indirectly by recording the variations of voltage (or volumetric electric power) against power generation time. The results revealed four time spans; lag phase, growth, maximum population and death of bacteria. The UMFC was then operated with new batches of substrate fed sequentially from anaerobic basins when according the time span estimated from the previous experiments the maximum population of bacteria was obtained in the basins. In this study the best time span was found for maximized operation of UMFC. The results showed that time span from 36 to 125 hours maximized operation of UMFC.