Development of a microbial fuel cell prototype fed by sewage for electricity generation 

Asia Abdulrahim Saad 

Master of Science (Renewable Energy) 

University of Dar es Salaam, College of Engineering and Technology, 2016   

 

This study was undertaken to develop a microbial fuel cell prototype fed by sewage for 

electricity generation using cost effective materials for the cathode compartment. Prior to the 

laboratory experiments, literature review was carried out on various aspects of MFCs. 

Thereafter, the collection of samples of sewage substrates from the University of Dar es salaam 

oxidation ponds took place. Here, untreated sewage i.e. that has not undergone biological 

treatment and treated sewage, from oxidation ponds, were collected. Preliminary experiments 

were carried out at the Energy laboratory in the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering 

Department at the University of Dar es salaam, to select the cathode and substrate that produced 

better results in terms of power output. Aluminium produced the most desirable results compared 

to copper, stainless steel and mild steel in all the substrates. On the other hand, untreated sewage 

with aluminium/carbon electrodes produced higher power output compared to treated sewage 

with the same electrodes. Thereafter, a prototype of the MFC was developed by connecting three 

single chambered cells in series of 628 cm
3
 volume of untreated sewage with aluminium and 

carbon electrodes. The prototype generated a stable voltage of 1.73V and a current of 0.07mA 

recorded for a period of one hour. The power generated was enough to light a 6.25 mW LED 

bulb of 25mA across a 100Ω resister. Therefore untreated sewage can produce more power in 

MFCs with aluminium/carbon electrodes compared to the other tested materials.