Tri Mulyono 

Department of Chemistry, Faculty Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Jember

Diah Meirendi Hutamia 

Department of Physics, Faculty Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Jember

Imam Rofi’i 

Department of Physics, Faculty Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Jember

Misto 

Department of Physics, Faculty Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Jember

Agung Tjahjo Nugroho 

Department of Physics, Faculty Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Jember

Yuda Cahyoargo Hariadi 

Department of Physics, Faculty Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Jember

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19184/jid.v25i1.44448

ABSTRACT 

The growth in population is not adequately matched by the corresponding increase in energy demand. The imperative for prioritizing the exploration of alternative energy sources that possess attributes of safety, affordability, and ample access to raw materials cannot be overstated. An energy source with significant potential is a microbial fuel cell (MFC)-based energy source. This study aims to investigate the utilization of cow rumen as a substrate and source of nutrition in the bioenergy system of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The present study aims to investigate the impact of substrate concentration and bacterial incubation duration derived from bovine rumen bacteria on the attainment of optimal power density. The research employed a Dual Chamber Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) device using a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) constructed from ceramic materials. Daily observations were conducted over a period of 30 days. The performance of MFC was assessed utilizing the polarization technique. The findings indicated that altering the proportion of bovine rumen bacterial substrates and the duration of bacterial incubation had an impact on the power density seen in the Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) system. The optimal conditions were attained when the substrate concentration reached 3640 ppm and after 7 days, resulting in a maximum power density of 864 mW/m2

Keywords: MFC, cow rumen, PEM, ceramic, power density.