scholarly journals New fragmented electro-active biofilm (FAB) reactor to increase anode surface area and performance of microbial fuel cell

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tesfalem Atnafu ◽  
Seyoum Leta
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Microbial Fuel Cell ◽  
Coulombic Efficiency ◽  
Synergetic Effect ◽  
Cod Removal ◽  
Anode Surface ◽  
Biofilm Growth ◽  
Bench Scale ◽  
Lower Voltage

Abstract Background Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology is a promising sustainable future energy source with a renewable and abundant substrate. MFC critical drawbacks are anode surface area limitations and electrochemical loss. Recent studies recommend thick anode biofilm growth due to the synergetic effect between microbial communities. Engineering the anode surface area is the prospect of MFC. In this study, a microbial electrode jacket dish (MEJ-dish) was invented, first time to the authors’ knowledge, to support MFC anode biofilm growth. The MFC reactor with MEJ-dish was hypothesized to develop a variable biofilm thickens. This reactor is called a fragmented electro-active biofilm-microbial fuel cell (FAB-MFC). It was optimized for pH and MEJ-dish types and tested at a bench-scale. Results Fragmented (thick and thin) anode biofilms were observed in FAB-MFC but not in MFC. During the first five days and pH 7.5, maximum voltage (0.87 V) was recorded in MFC than FAB-MFC; however, when the age of the reactor increases, all the FAB-MFC gains momentum. It depends on the MEJ-dish type that determines the junction nature between the anode and MEJ-dish. At alkaline pH 8.5, the FAB-MFC generates a lower voltage relative to MFC. On the contrary, the COD removal was improved regardless of pH variation (6.5–8.5) and MEJ-dish type. The bench-scale studies support the optimization findings. Overall, the FAB improves the Coulombic efficiency by 7.4–9.6 % relative to MFC. It might be recommendable to use both FAB and non-FAB in a single MFC reactor to address the contradictory effect of increasing COD removal associated with the lower voltage at higher pH. Conclusions This study showed the overall voltage generated was significantly higher in FAB-MFC than MFC within limited pH (6.5–7.5); relatively, COD removal was enhanced within a broader pH range (6.5–8.5). It supports the conclusion that FAB anode biofilms were vital for COD removal, and there might be a mutualism even though not participated in voltage generation. FAB could provide a new flexible technique to manage the anode surface area and biofilm thickness by adjusting the MEJ-dish size. Future studies may need to consider the number, size, and conductor MEJ-dish per electrode.

scholarly journals Developing and Optimization of Fragmented Electroactive Biofilm Reactor (FAB) to Increase Microbial Fuel Cell Bioelectricity Generation and Treatment Performance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tesfalem Atnafu ◽  
Seyoum Leta
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Microbial Fuel Cell ◽  
Synergetic Effect ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Organic Content ◽  
Biofilm Reactor ◽  
Cod Removal ◽  
Ph Variation ◽  
Voltage Generation ◽  
Lower Voltage

Abstract BackgroundMicrobial fuel cells (MFCs) drawbacks are anode (cathode) limitation and electrochemical loss. Engineering the biofilm for enhanced attachment to the electrode is the prospect of MFC. Recent studies, recommend the formation of thick anode biofilm that could result in a synergetic effect between microbial communities. To address these issues, a microbial electrode jacket dish (MEJ-dish) was invented that supports microbial growth over the anode electrode surface. The MFC reactor with MEJ-dish was hypothesized to develop a fragment of biofilm (thick and thin) across the electrode. This reactor is called a fragmented electroactive biofilm-microbial fuel cell reactor (FAB-MFC).ResultsThe maximum voltage generated (0.87 V) was recorded in FAB-MFC. In addition, during the first 3-10 days, the FAB system enables to significantly (p<0.05) maximize the voltage generation at pH variation from 6.5 to 7.5. However, at alkaline pH 8.5, the FAB system generates a lower voltage relative to non-FAB. On the contrary, in FAB reactors the COD removal was improved regardless of pH variation (6.5-8.5). This shows, unlike voltage generation, the biofilms (either electroactive or not) formation were vital for COD removal even without voltage generation. At acidic and neutral pH (7.5), the fragmented (hybrid) biofilm formation across the bioelectrode (anode) could not only important for voltage generation but also contributes to the effective functioning of electroactive biofilm (EABs) growth and development by reducing the effect of pH variation. To address this contradictory effect of increasing COD removal associated with the lower voltage at higher pH, might be to use both FAB and non-FAB in a single MFC reactor. There might be a mutualistic effect across the bioelectrode biofilms.ConclusionsThis study showed that the voltage generated was significantly higher in FAB-MFC as compared with non-FAB-MFC setup within limited pH (6.5-7.5); relatively, COD removal was enhanced within wider pH 6.5-8.5. This supports the conclusion that biofilm formed across the FAB was vital for COD removal, even though not participated in voltage generation. However, this might be affected by the degradable organic content and the nature of the microbial community in the inoculum and domestic wastewater, which requires further studies.

scholarly journals Effect of Anolyte pH on the Performance of a Dual-Chambered Microbial Fuel Cell Operated with Different Biomass Feed

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Md. Abdul Halim ◽  
Md. Owaleur Rahman ◽  
Mohammad Ibrahim ◽  
Rituparna Kundu ◽  
Biplob Kumar Biswas
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
River Water ◽  
Microbial Fuel Cell ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Coulombic Efficiency ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Cod Removal ◽  
Bioelectricity Generation ◽  
Alternative Energy Resources

Finding sustainable alternative energy resources and treating wastewater are the two most important issues that need to be solved. Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology has demonstrated a tremendous potential in bioelectricity generation with wastewater treatment. Since wastewater can be used as a source of electrolyte for the MFC, the salient point of this study was to investigate the effect of pH on bioelectricity production using various biomass feed (wastewater and river water) as the anolyte in a dual-chambered MFC. Maximum extents of power density (1459.02 mW·m−2), current density (1288.9 mA·m−2), and voltage (1132 mV) were obtained at pH 8 by using Bhairab river water as a feedstock in the MFC. A substantial extent of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal (94%) as well as coulombic efficiency (41.7%) was also achieved in the same chamber at pH 8. The overall performance of the MFC, in terms of bioelectricity generation, COD removal, and coulombic efficiency, indicates a plausible utilization of the MFC for wastewater treatment as well as bioelectricity production.

A single chamber packed bed microbial fuel cell biosensor for measuring organic content of wastewater

2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (11) ◽  
pp. 2879-2887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirella Di Lorenzo ◽  
Tom P. Curtis ◽  
Ian M. Head ◽  
Sharon B. Velasquez-Orta ◽  
Keith Scott
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Microbial Fuel Cell ◽  
Packed Bed ◽  
Organic Content ◽  
Anode Surface ◽  
Carbon Cloth ◽  
Single Chamber ◽  
Steady State Current ◽  
Bed Thickness

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.

scholarly journals Pre-treatment of anodic inoculum with nitroethane to improve performance of a microbial fuel cell

2018 ◽  
Vol 77 (10) ◽  
pp. 2491-2496 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. P. Rajesh ◽  
Md. T. Noori ◽  
M. M. Ghangrekar
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Microbial Fuel Cell ◽  
Coulombic Efficiency ◽  
Production Capacity ◽  
Linear Sweep Voltammetry ◽  
Anode Surface ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Operating Voltage ◽  
Methanogenic Activity ◽  
Pre Treatment

Abstract Methanogenic substrate loss is reported to be a major bottleneck in microbial fuel cell (MFC), which significantly reduces the power production capacity and coulombic efficiency (CE) of this system. Nitroethane is found to be a potent inhibitor of hydrogenotrophic methanogens in rumen fermentation process. Influence of nitroethane pre-treated sewage sludge inoculum on suppressing the methanogenic activity and enhancing the electrogenesis in MFC was evaluated. MFC inoculated with nitroethane pre-treated anodic inoculum demonstrated a maximum operating voltage of 541 mV, with CE and maximum volumetric power density of 39.85% and 20.5 W/m3, respectively. Linear sweep voltammetry indicated a higher electron discharge on the anode surface due to enhancement of electrogenic activity while suppressing methanogenic activity. A 63% reduction in specific methanogenic activity was observed in anaerobic sludge pre-treated with nitroethane, emphasizing the significance of this pre-treatment for suppressing methanogenesis and its utility for enhancing electricity generation in MFC.

Effect of increasing anode surface area on the performance of a single chamber microbial fuel cell

2010 ◽  
Vol 156 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirella Di Lorenzo ◽  
Keith Scott ◽  
Tom P. Curtis ◽  
Ian M. Head
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Microbial Fuel Cell ◽  
Anode Surface ◽  
Single Chamber

scholarly journals BIOKONVERSI PADA PENGOLAHAN AIR LIMBAH INDUSTRI PULP DAN KERTAS MENGGUNAKAN MEMBRANE-LESS MICROBIAL FUEL CELL (ML-MFC)

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristaufan Joko Pramono ◽  
Krisna Adhitya Wardana ◽  
Prima Besty Asthary ◽  
Saepulloh .
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Microbial Fuel Cell ◽  
Supply Voltage ◽  
Pulp And Paper ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Organic Load ◽  
Anode Surface ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources

Pulp and paper industry produces large amount of wastewater that has high pollution potentials. Nowadays, development of renewable energy resources is being researched. Membrane-less Microbial Fuel Cell (ML-MFC) can be an alternative for wastewater treatment and bioenergy producers of renewable electricity. This study was subjected to evaluate the performance of ML-MFC in pulp and paper wastewater treatment and to analyze the potentials production of electricity energy. ML-MFC reactors in laboratory scale used in this experiment were made of acrylic, provided with electrodes functioning as anode and cathode which have surface area of 1.4778 x 10-2 m2 and 4.926 x 10-3 m2, respectively. In this experiment, wastewater from pulp and paper mill was continuously fed into the reactor with retention time of 48 hours and organic load about 0.23 – 0.51 kg COD/m3.day. The results showed that there was potential of electricity production from pulp and paper mill’s wastewater treatment by ML-MFC. The maximum COD reduction and maximum power supply voltage that could be achieved were 38.50% and 118.8 mV, respectively. The maximum electric power obtained on the anode surface area of 1.4778 x 10-2 m2 was 8.46 mW/m2 when the electric current value was 101.50 mA/m2 and the resistance was 500 Ω.Keywords: wastewater, organic, bioconversion, electricity, membrane-less microbial fuel cell (ML-MFC) ABSTRAKIndustri pulp dan kertas menghasilkan air limbah dalam jumlah besar yang memiliki potensi pencemaran tinggi. Saat ini, upaya pengembangan sumber energi terbarukan terus dilakukan. Membraneless Microbial Fuel Cell (ML-MFC) adalah salah satu alternatif pengolahan air limbah dan penghasil bioenergi listrik yang dapat terbarukan. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengevaluasi kinerja ML-MFC dalam pengolahan air limbah pulp dan kertas proses biologi dan menganalisa potensi produksi energi listrik. Reaktor ML-MFC skala laboratorium yang digunakan dalam percobaan terbuat dari akrilik dengan rangkaian elektroda yang berfungsi sebagai anoda dengan luas permukaan 1,4778 x 10-2 m2 dan katoda dengan luas permukaan 4,926 x 10-3 m2. Pada percobaan ini, air limbah industri pulp dan kertas dialirkan melalui reaktor secara kontinu dengan waktu tinggal 48 jam dan beban organik 0,23 – 0,51 kg COD/m3.hari. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat potensi produksi energi listrik dari proses pengolahan air limbah industri pulp dan kertas oleh ML-MFC. Reduksi maksimum nilai COD dan tegangan listrik maksimum yang dapat dicapai adalah 38,50% dan 118,8 mV. Daya listrik maksimum yang diperoleh pada luas permukaan anoda sebesar 1,4778 x 10-2 m2 adalah 8,46 mW/m2 pada saat nilai arus listrik 101,50 mA/m2 dan beban resistansi 500 Ω.Kata kunci: air limbah, organik, biokonversi, energi listrik, membrane-less microbial fuel cell (ML-MFC)

Effect of operating temperature on performance of microbial fuel cell

2011 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 917-922 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Behera ◽  
S. S. R. Murthy ◽  
M. M. Ghangrekar
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Microbial Fuel Cell ◽  
Operating Temperature ◽  
Internal Resistance ◽  
Cod Removal ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Synthetic Wastewater ◽  
Anode Surface ◽  
Batch Mode ◽  
Operating Temperatures

The performance of dual chambered mediator-less microbial fuel cell (MFC) operated under batch mode was evaluated under different operating temperatures, ranging between 20 and 55 °C, with step increase in temperature of 5 °C. Synthetic wastewater with sucrose as carbon source having chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 519–555 mg/L was used in the study. Temperature was a crucial factor in the performance of MFCs for both COD removal and electricity production. The MFC demonstrated highest COD removal efficiency of 84% and power density normalized to the anode surface area of 34.38 mW/m2 at operating temperature of 40 °C. Higher VSS to SS ratio was observed at the operating temperature between 35 and 45 °C. Under different operating temperatures the observed sludge yield was in the range of 0.05 to 0.14 g VSS/g COD removed. The maximum Coulombic and energy efficiencies were obtained at 40 °C, with values of 7.39 and 13.14%, respectively. Internal resistance of the MFC decreased with increase in operating temperature. Maximum internal resistance of 1,150 Ω was observed when the MFC was operated at 20 °C; whereas the minimum internal resistance (552 Ω) was observed at 55 °C.

scholarly journals Enhancing microbial fuel cell (MFC) performance in treatment of solid potato waste by mixed feeding of boiled potato and waste activated sludge

2018 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 1054-1063
Author(s):  
Haixia Du ◽  
Jiangyang Guo ◽  
Yizhen Xu ◽  
Yanxia Wu ◽  
Fusheng Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Microbial Fuel Cell ◽  
Coulombic Efficiency ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Cod Removal ◽  
Hydrolysis Rate ◽  
Waste Activated Sludge ◽  
Mixed Feeding ◽  
Potato Waste

Abstract The effects of mixed feeding of boiled potato and waste activated sludge (WAS) on the performance of a microbial fuel cell (MFC) in treating solid potato waste were investigated. The coulombic efficiency (CE) of four MFCs fed with potato cubes containing 0, 48.7, 67.3 and 85.6% of boiled potato was 53.5, 70.5, 92.7 and 71.1%, respectively, indicating enhanced electricity generation and the existence of an optimum mixing ratio. The hydrolysis rate estimated using a first-order sequential hydrolysis model increased from 0.061 to 0.191 day−1, leading to shortening of the startup time for current density reaching its maximum from 25 to 5 days. The final chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal reached 85%. The CE of seven MFCs, fed with raw potato alone, sterilized/unsterilized WAS alone, and four mixed samples of raw potato with sterilized WAS at ratios of 2:1 and 4:1 and unsterilized WAS at 2:1 and 4:1, was found to be 6.1, 43.6, 0.3, 31.0, 16.5, 0.9 and 31.1%, respectively. The hydrolysis rate increased from 0.056 to 0.089 day−1, and the final COD removal changed from 39.5 to 89.6% following the order: potato alone &gt; mixture of potato & WAS &gt; sterilized WAS alone &gt; unsterilized WAS alone.

scholarly journals Comparative Electricity Generation by Two Locally Produced Corncob Pyrochar Electrodes and Graphite using Microbial Fuel Cell Technology

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Musa Bishir ◽  
Marium Tariq ◽  
Dominik Wüst ◽  
Lena Schleicher ◽  
Julia Steuber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Microbial Fuel Cell ◽  
Microbial Fuel Cells ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Electrode Materials ◽  
Coulombic Efficiency ◽  
Process Water ◽  
Bet Surface Area ◽  
Biogas Digestate

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is an evolving technology for anaerobic bioenergy generation using electrodes and organic wastewater as a feedstock for catabolic activities of electrogenic bacteria and subsequent electricity generation. The search for suitable inexpensive electrode materials remains the leading interest of researchers in this field. The work here focused on comparative bioelectricity generation from HTC process water (pH = 5.99) and treated–biogas digestate (pH = 7.97) using locally developed corncob pyrochar electrodes and graphite in dual-chambered microbial fuel cells (MFC). The electrodes used in this study were graphite rod (non-porous and very low surface area), KOH–activated corncob pyrochar (KAC) of BET surface area, 1626 m2 g-1 and steam activated corncob pyrochar (SAC) with 485.8 m2 g-1. The highest power outputs achieved were 323.8 µW and 316.8 µW from HTC process water with SAC and KAC electrodes respectively at an external load of 47 Ω. The initial COD (48780 mg L-1), DOC (4000 mg L-1), and TNb (5600 mg L-1) of the biogas digestate decreased significantly to 36405, 3610 and 4300 mg L-1 respectively in the MFC with KOH-activated corncob pyrochar electrodes. The MFC operated with KAC electrode and treated biogas digestate was the most efficient having Coulombic efficiency of 75 % in a comparatively shorter residence time of MFC operation than the MFC with SAC electrode which had a lower Coulombic efficiency of 64 %.

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