LAUSR

The present study examined the performance of stacked microbial fuel cell for higher power generation and also for treating brewery waste effluent. The stackable microbial fuel cells are connected in series, parallel and series–parallel using standard glucose media produces increased power density of 813, 1546.57 and 2418 $$\hbox {mW\,m}^{-2}$$mWm-2, respectively, corresponding to 288 $$\hbox {mW\,m}^{-2}$$mWm-2 from single cell as control. Series–parallel setup arrangement with brewery effluent produces maximum power density of 1345 $$\hbox {mW\,m}^{-2}$$mWm-2 with 81% of COD removal efficiency within 72 h of operation. The series–parallel configuration system shows significant COD removal and maximum power density due to their better stability of redox potential in overall cells. The significant reduction of TDS, TSS was also observed in series–parallel connection over other stacking MFCs. The results of the present study highlight the importance of combining electrical circuit along with stacking in generating stable and high power from MFC for practical applications.