scholarly journals The Energy Production and Efficiency Treatment of ML-MFC Using High Organic Content Wastewater

2020 ◽  
Vol 202 ◽  
pp. 10006
Author(s):  
Aris Mukimin

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a technology that is not only able to produce energy but also treats wastewater. The membraneless microbial fuel cell (ML-MFC) system was developed to avoid the use of membranes that are prone to clogging and are less applicable. The reactor was made and arranged in two chambers connected by pipes and the fluid flow rate is set using a peristaltic pump. Three anodes (carbon cloth) were paired with a carbon-Pt cathode GDL (Gas Diffusion Layer) type. The reactor was applied to wastewater taken from the industrial WWTP unit at the point before and after UASB. ML-MFC reactors can produce currents of 0.2 mA (before UASB) and 0.25 mA (after UASB). Current production is strongly influenced by the flow rate and characteristics of wastewater. Increased flow rates and complex character of wastewater will reduce current production. The electric power produced is 0.035 mwatt for wastewater before UASB and 0.086 mwatt after UASB with a COD removal is close to the same, which is 21% at a flow rate of 11 L / min1

2020 ◽  
Vol 202 ◽  
pp. 10005
Author(s):  
Aris Mukimin

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a technology that is not only able to produce energy but also treats wastewater. The membraneless microbial fuel cell (ML-MFC) system was developed to avoid the use of membranes that are prone to clogging and are less applicable. The reactor was made and arranged in two chambers connected by pipes and the fluid flow rate is set using a peristaltic pump. Three anodes (carbon cloth) were paired with a carbon-Pt cathode GDL (Gas Diffusion Layer) type. The reactor was applied to wastewater taken from the industrial WWTP unit at the point before and after UASB. ML-MFC reactors can produce currents of 0.2 mA (before UASB) and 0.25 mA (after UASB). Current production is strongly influenced by the flow rate and characteristics of wastewater. Increased flow rates and complex character of wastewater will reduce current production. The electric power produced is 0.035 mwatt for wastewater before UASB and 0.086 mwatt after UASB with a COD removal is close to the same, which is 21% at a flow rate of 11 L / min1


2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (11) ◽  
pp. 2879-2887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirella Di Lorenzo ◽  
Tom P. Curtis ◽  
Ian M. Head ◽  
Sharon B. Velasquez-Orta ◽  
Keith Scott

This study reports an investigation of the effect of the anode surface area on the performance of a single chamber microbial fuel cell (SCMFC) based biosensor for measuring the organic content of wastewater. A packed bed of graphite granules was used as the anode. The surface area of the anode was changed by altering the granule bed thickness (0.3 cm and 1 cm). The anode surface area was found to play a role in the dynamic response of the system. For a granule bed thickness of 1 cm and with an external resistance of 500 Ω, the response time (defined as the time required to achieve 95% of the steady-state current) was reduced by approximately 65% in comparison to a SCMFC biosensor with a carbon cloth anode.


Author(s):  
Aris Mukimin ◽  
Nur Zen ◽  
Hanny Vistanty ◽  
Purwanto Agus

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a new proposed technology reported to generate renewable energy while simultaneously treating wastewater. Membraneless microbial fuel cell (ML-MFC) system was developed to eliminate the requirement of membrane which is expensive and prone to clogging while enhancing electricity generation and wastewater treatment efficiency. For this purpose, a reactor was designed in two chambers and connected via three pipes (1 cm in diameter) to enhance fluid diffusion. Influent flowrate was maintained by adjusting peristaltic pump at the base of anaerobic chamber. Carbon cloth (235 cm2) was used as anode and paired with gas diffusion layer (GDL) carbon-Pt as cathode. Anaerobic sludge was filtered and used as starter feed for the anaerobic chamber. The experiment was carried out by feeding synthetic wastewater to anaerobic chamber; while current response and potential were recorded. Performance of reactor was evaluated in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD). Electroactive microbe was inoculated from anaerobic sludge and showed current response (0.55-0.65 mA) at 0,35 V, range of diameter 1.5-2 µm. The result of microscopics can showed three different species. The microbial performance was increased by adding ferric oxide 1 mM addition as acceptor electron. The reactor was able to generate current, voltage, and electricity power of 0.36 mA, 110 mV, and 40 mWatt (1.5 Watt/m2), respectively, while reaching COD removal and maximum coulomb efficiency (EC) of 16% and 10.18%, respectively.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Praveena Gangadharan ◽  
Indumathi M Nambi

Abstract The study investigates the performance of Cu2+ as dissolved cathodic electron-shuttle mediator (dcESM) for simultaneous Cr6+ reduction and electricity generation in a microbial fuel cell (MFC) at pH 2 and 4 conditions. The dcESM behavior of Cu2+ on carbon cloth (CC) catalyzes the reduction of Cr6+ into Cr3+ at pH 2 by undergoing redox reactions. However, at pH 4, a simultaneous reduction of Cu2+ and Cr6+ was observed. Cyclic voltammetry studies were performed at pH 2 and 4 to probe the dcESM behavior of Cu2+ for Cr6+ reduction on CC electrode. Also, at pH 2, increasing the concentration of Cu2+ from 50 to 500 mg L-1 favors the Cr6+ reduction by reducing the reaction time from 108 to 48 h and improving the current production from 3.9 to 6.2 mA m-2, respectively. Nevertheless, at pH 4, the efficacy of Cr6+ reduction and electricity generation from MFC is decreased from 63 to 18% and 4.4 to 1.1 mA m-2, respectively, by increasing the Cu2+ concentration from 50 to 500 mg L-1. Furthermore, the performance of dcESM behavior of Cu2+ was explored on carbon felt (CF) and platinum (Pt) electrodes, and compare the results with CC. In MFC, at pH 2, with an initial concentration of 100 mg L-1, the reduction of Cr6+ in 60 h is 9.6 mg L-1 for CC, 0.2 mg L-1 for CF, and 51.3 mg L-1 for Pt cathodes. The reduction of Cr6+ (initial concentration of 100 mg L-1) at pH 4 in 120 h is 44.7 mg L-1 for CC, 32.1 mg L-1 for CF, and 70.9 mg L-1 for Pt cathodes. Maximum power densities of 1659, 1509, and 1284 mW m-2 were achieved when CF, CC, and Pt, respectively were employed as cathodes in the MFC.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Praveena Gangadharan ◽  
Indumathi M Nambi

Abstract The study investigates the performance of Cu2+ as dissolved cathodic electron-shuttle mediator (dcESM) for simultaneous Cr6+ reduction and electricity generation in a microbial fuel cell (MFC) at pH 2 and 4 conditions. The dcESM behavior of Cu2+ on carbon cloth (CC) catalyzes the reduction of Cr6+ into Cr3+ at pH 2 by undergoing redox reactions. However, at pH 4, a simultaneous reduction of Cu2+ and Cr6+ was observed. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies were performed at pH 2 and 4 to probe the dcESM behavior of Cu2+ for Cr6+ reduction on CC electrode. Also, at pH 2, increasing the concentration of Cu2+ from 50 mg L− 1 to 500 mg L− 1 favors the Cr6+ reduction by reducing the reaction time from 108 h to 48 h and improving the current production from 3.94 mA m− 2 to 6.24 mA m− 2, respectively. Nevertheless, at pH 4, the efficacy of Cr6+ reduction and electricity generation from MFC is decreased from 62.91–18.21% and 4.42 mA m− 2 to 1.10 mA m− 2, respectively, by increasing the Cu2+ concentration from 50 mg L− 1 to 500 mg L− 1. Furthermore, the performance of dcESM behavior of Cu2+ was explored on carbon felt (CF) and platinum (Pt) electrodes, and compare the results with CC. In MFC, at pH 2, with an initial concentration of 100 mg L− 1, the reduction of Cr6+ in 60 h is 9.63 mg L− 1 for CC, 0.17 mg L− 1 for CF, and 51.32 mg L− 1 for Pt cathodes. The reduction of Cr6+ (initial concentration of 100 mg L− 1) at pH 4 in 120 h is 44.72 mg L− 1 for CC, 32.13 mg L− 1 for CF, and 70.85 mg L− 1 for Pt cathodes. Maximum power densities of 1659 mW m− 2, 1509 mW/m− 2, and 1284 mW/m− 2 were achieved when CF, CC, and Pt, respectively were employed as cathodes in the MFC.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Praveena Gangadharan ◽  
Indumathi M. Nambi

Abstract The study investigates the performance of Cu2+ as dissolved cathodic electron-shuttle mediator (dcESM) for simultaneous Cr6+ reduction and electricity generation in a microbial fuel cell (MFC) at pH 2 and 4 conditions. The dcESM behavior of Cu2+ on carbon cloth (CC) catalyzes the reduction of Cr6+ into Cr3+ at pH 2 by undergoing redox reactions. However, at pH 4, a simultaneous reduction of Cu2+ and Cr6+ was observed. Cyclic voltammetry studies were performed at pH 2 and 4 to probe the dcESM behavior of Cu2+ for Cr6+ reduction on CC electrode. Also, at pH 2, increasing the concentration of Cu2+ from 50 to 500 mg L− 1 favors the Cr6+ reduction by reducing the reaction time from 108 to 48 h and improving the current production from 3.9 to 6.2 mA m− 2, respectively. Nevertheless, at pH 4, the efficacy of Cr6+ reduction and electricity generation from MFC is decreased from 63 to 18% and 4.4 to 1.1 mA m− 2, respectively, by increasing the Cu2+ concentration from 50 to 500 mg L− 1. Furthermore, the performance of dcESM behavior of Cu2+ was explored on carbon felt (CF) and platinum (Pt) electrodes, and compare the results with CC. In MFC, at pH 2, with an initial concentration of 100 mg L− 1, the reduction of Cr6+ in 60 h is 9.6 mg L− 1 for CC, 0.2 mg L− 1 for CF, and 51.3 mg L− 1 for Pt cathodes. The reduction of Cr6+ (initial concentration of 100 mg L− 1) at pH 4 in 120 h is 44.7 mg L− 1 for CC, 32.1 mg L− 1 for CF, and 70.9 mg L− 1 for Pt cathodes. Maximum power densities of 1659, 1509, and 1284 mW m− 2 were achieved when CF, CC, and Pt, respectively were employed as cathodes in the MFC.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Praveena Gangadharan ◽  
Indumathi M Nambi

Abstract The study investigates the performance of Cu 2+ as dissolved cathodic electron-shuttle mediator (dcESM) for simultaneous Cr 6+ reduction and electricity generation in a microbial fuel cell (MFC) at pH 2 and 4 conditions. The dcESM behavior of Cu 2+ on carbon cloth (CC) catalyzes the reduction of Cr 6+ into Cr 3+ at pH 2 by undergoing redox reactions. However, at pH 4, a simultaneous reduction of Cu 2+ and Cr 6+ was observed. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies were performed at pH 2 and 4 to probe the dcESM behavior of Cu 2+ for Cr 6+ reduction on CC electrode. Also, at pH 2, increasing the concentration of Cu 2+ from 50 mg L -1 to 500 mg L -1 favors the Cr 6+ reduction by reducing the reaction time from 108 h to 48 h and improving the current production from 3.94 mA m -2 to 6.24 mA m -2 , respectively. Nevertheless, at pH 4, the efficacy of Cr 6+ reduction and electricity generation from MFC is decreased from 62.91% to 18.21% and 4.42 mA m -2 to 1.10 mA m -2 , respectively, by increasing the Cu 2+ concentration from 50 mg L -1 to 500 mg L -1 . Furthermore, the performance of dcESM behavior of Cu 2+ was explored on carbon felt (CF) and platinum (Pt) electrodes, and compare the results with CC. In MFC, at pH 2, with an initial concentration of 100 mg L -1 , the reduction of Cr 6+ in 60 h is 9.63 mg L -1 for CC, 0.17 mg L -1 for CF, and 51.32 mg L -1 for Pt cathodes. The reduction of Cr 6+ (initial concentration of 100 mg L -1 ) at pH 4 in 120 h is 44.72 mg L -1 for CC, 32.13 mg L -1 for CF, and 70.85 mg L -1 for Pt cathodes. Maximum power densities of 1659 mW m -2 , 1509 mW/m -2 , and 1284 mW/m -2 were achieved when CF, CC, and Pt, respectively were employed as cathodes in the MFC.


Author(s):  
Rajkumar Rajendran ◽  
Gnana Prakash Dhakshina Moorthy ◽  
Haribabu Krishnan ◽  
Sumisha Anappara

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Cheng ◽  
Chasen Tongsh ◽  
Jinqiao Liang ◽  
Zhi Liu ◽  
Qing Du ◽  
...  

Abstract In this study, an experimental study has been performed to investigate the effect of in-plane distribution of Pt and Nafion in membrane electrode assembly (MEA) on proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. Two types of MEAs, such as the gradient and uniform distributions of Pt catalyst and Nafion, are compared under various operating conditions including cathode flow rate, MEA preparation method, Pt loading and relative humidity (RH). The catalyst ink is sprayed onto Nafion membrane or gas diffusion layer (GDL) through a pneumatic automatic spraying device manufactured by ourselves. MEA is prepared by hot pressing. The results show that as flow rate decreases, the MEA with gradient distribution will show a higher voltage at a high current density for catalyst coated membrane (CCM) method. For CCM method, gradient distribution can optimize cell performance under low cathode flow rate, but the optimization effect is weakened when flow rate is too low. Compared with CCM method, the gas diffusion electrode (GDE) method makes the difference value of Ohmic resistance between gradient and uniform distribution very larger, resulting in poor performance improvement. For GDE method, gradient distribution shows no optimization for cell performance under different Pt loadings and RH, but a smaller average Pt loading and fully-humidified reactants can reduce the performance distinction between uniform and gradient distribution. The gradient design of Pt and Nafion along the in-plane direction is a promising strategy to improve the performance of PEM fuel cell. Reasonably controlling the gradient distribution of Pt in the plane direction of cathode can reduce the amount of Pt catalysts and improve efficiency.


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