Potensi Energi Listrik dari Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) Menggunakan Substrat Molase dan Bakteri Pseudomonas sp.

Abstract

Sugarcane molasses have been reported as potential biomass to produce electricity from its metabolic processes through the microbial fuel cell (MFC) system. However, it is important to improve electrical generation by using both appropriate and readily available substrates and microorganisms. This study aimed to determine the current and potential difference as well as the power density generated from the metabolic process of the molasses substrate. A dual-chamber of MFC was arranged in series to generate electrical current. The anode chamber contained a mixture of molasses substrate, potassium phosphate buffer pH 7, and Pseudomonas sp. The cathode chamber contained 0.2 M KMnO₄ electrolyte solution. Measurement of current and potential differences was conducted every 4 hours for 36 hours. The results showed that the maximum current, potential difference, and power density were 1656 mV, 1582 µA, and 1794.37 mW/m²_, respectively.

Keywords: dual chamber, microbial fuel cell, molasses, Pseudomonas sp.

Molase telah banyak dilaporkan sebagai salah satu sumber energi listrik yang potensial dengan menggunakan sistem microbial fuel cell (MFC). Namun demikian, produksi energi listriknya perlu ditingkatkan dengan menggunakan substrat dan mikroorganisme yang tepat dan mudah diperoleh. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui arus dan beda potensial serta nilai kerapatan daya yang dihasilkan dari proses metabolisme substrat molase menggunakan bakteri Pseudomonas sp. Penelitian ini menggunakan sistem MFC kompartemen ganda sebanyak dua sel yang dirangkai seri. Ruang anoda berisi campuran substrat molase, buffer kalium fosfat pH 7 dan bakteri Pseudomonas sp. Adapun ruang katoda berisi larutan elektrolit KMnO₄ 0,2 M. Pengukuran arus dan beda potensial dilakukan setiap 4 jam selama 36 jam. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian yang dilakukan didapatkan nilai arus, beda potensial maksimum dan kerapatan daya masing-masing sebesar 1656 mV, 1582 µA dan 1794,37 mW/m².

Kata kunci: dua sel, microbial fuel cell, molase, Pseudomonas sp