Software program for computing coulombic efficiency and power densities generated by microbial fuel cells through treating livestock slurry and wastewater

Abstract

To perform the calculations of the coulombic efficiency, areal and volumetric power densities generated by microbial fuel cells (MFCs), several procedures should be accomplished; this necessitates time and efforts, with the probability of making mistakes. This study aims at developing a tool to support users, engineers, and specialists in performing these computations by developing a software program that can be installed on laptops and personal computers to save time and efforts. A mathematical model was developed to perform the calculations. Next, a flowchart was generated, and the mathematical model was incorporated in the flowchart. Then, Microsoft Visual FoxPro 9.0 Service Pack 2.0 was implemented to configure the software by combining the flowchart, mathematical model, and interface creation. Data were obtained from government associations, wastewater treatment plants, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and literature. The data obtained for performing the calculations in the traditional way was used to deliver output data that were matched with the output data obtained from the configured software. The results of both the traditional approach and the program were congruous. The software is able to calculate the coulombic efficiency, area and volumetric energy density of microbial fuel cells by processing various feedstocks such as livestock manure and wastewater.