Electricity generation in low cost microbial fuel cell made up of earthenware of different thickness

2011 ◽  
Vol 64 (12) ◽  
pp. 2468-2473 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Behera ◽  
M. M. Ghangrekar
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Fuel Cells ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Internal Resistance ◽  
Polymeric Membranes ◽  
Synthetic Wastewater ◽  
Anode Chamber ◽  
Batch Mode ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Sustainable Power ◽  
Different Thickness

Performance of four microbial fuel cells (MFC-1, MFC-2, MFC-3 and MFC-4) made up of earthen pots with wall thicknesses of 3, 5, 7 and 8.5 mm, respectively, was evaluated. The MFCs were operated in fed batch mode with synthetic wastewater having sucrose as the carbon source. The power generation decreased with increase in the thickness of the earthen pot which was used to make the anode chamber. MFC-1 generated highest sustainable power density of 24.32 mW/m2 and volumetric power of 1.04 W/m3 (1.91 mA, 0.191 V) at 100 Ω external resistance. The maximum Coulombic efficiencies obtained in MFC-1, MFC-2, MFC-3 and MFC-4 were 7.7, 7.1, 6.8 and 6.1%, respectively. The oxygen mass transfer and oxygen diffusion coefficients measured for earthen plate of 3 mm thickness were 1.79 × 10−5 and 5.38 × 10−6 cm2/s, respectively, which implies that earthen plate is permeable to oxygen as other polymeric membranes. The internal resistance increased with increase in thickness of the earthen pot MFCs. The thickness of the earthen material affected the overall performance of MFCs.

scholarly journals Bioenergy Potential of Albumin, Acetic Acid, Sucrose, and Blood in Microbial Fuel Cells Treating Synthetic Wastewater

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1289
Author(s):  
Madiha Tariq ◽  
Jin Wang ◽  
Zulfiqar Ahmad Bhatti ◽  
Muhammad Bilal ◽  
Adeel Jalal Malik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Power Density ◽  
Microbial Fuel Cells ◽  
Industrial Wastewater ◽  
Coulombic Efficiency ◽  
Synthetic Wastewater ◽  
Anode Chamber ◽  
Batch Mode ◽  
Voltage Generation

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a recent biotechnology that can simultaneously produce electricity and treat wastewater. As the nature of industrial wastewater is very complex, and it may contain a variety of substrates—such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, etc.—previous investigations dealt with treatment of individual pollutants in MFCs; the potential of acetic acid, sucrose, albumin, blood, and their mixture has rarely been reported. Hence, the current investigation explored the contribution of each substrate, both separately and in mixture. The voltage generation potential, current, and power density of five different substrates—namely, acetic acid, sucrose, albumin, blood, and a mixture of all of the substrates—was tested in a dual-chambered, anaerobic MFC operated at 35 °C. The reaction time of the anaerobic batch mode MFC was 24 h, and each substrate was treated for 7 runs under the same conditions. The dual-chambered MFC consisted of anode and cathode chambers; the anode chamber contained the biocatalyst (sludge), while the cathode chamber contained the oxidizing material (KMnO4). The maximum voltage of 769 mV was generated by acetic acid, while its corresponding values of current and power density were 7.69 mA and 347.85 mW, respectively. Similarly, being a simple and readily oxidizable substrate, acetic acid exhibited the highest COD removal efficiency (85%) and highest Coulombic efficiency (72%) per run. The anode accepted the highest number of electrons (0.078 mmol/L) when acetic acid was used as a substrate. The voltage, current, and power density generated were found to be directly proportional to COD concentration. The least voltage (61 mV), current (0.61 mA), and power density (2.18 mW) were observed when blood was treated in the MFC. Further research should be focused on testing the interaction of two or more substrates simultaneously in the MFC.

scholarly journals Evaluation of microbial fuel cell (MFC) for bioelectricity generation and pollutants removal from sugar beet processing wastewater (SBPW)

2017 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 387-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atikur Rahman ◽  
Md Saidul Borhan ◽  
Shafiqur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Sugar Beet ◽  
Microbial Fuel Cells ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Coulombic Efficiency ◽  
Pollutant Removal ◽  
Microbial Consortia ◽  
Anode Chamber ◽  
Batch Mode ◽  
Bioelectricity Generation

AbstractBioelectricity generation from biodegradable compounds using microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offers an opportunity for simultaneous wastewater treatment. This study evaluated the synergy of electricity generation by the MFC while reducing pollutants from sugar beet processing wastewater (SBPW). A simple dual-chamber MFC was constructed with inexpensive materials without using catalysts. Raw SBPW was diluted to several concentrations (chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 505 to 5,750 mg L−1) and fed as batch-mode into the MFC without further modification. A power density of 14.9 mW m−2 as power output was observed at a COD concentration of 2,565 mg L−1. Coulombic efficiency varied from 6.21% to 0.73%, indicating diffusion of oxygen through the cation exchange membrane and other methanogenesis and fermentation processes occurring in the anode chamber. In this study, >97% of the COD and up to 100% of the total suspended solids removals were observed from MFC-treated SBPW. Scanning electron microscopy of anode indicated that a diverse community of microbial consortia was active for electricity generation and wastewater treatment. This study demonstrated that SBPW can be used as a substrate in the MFC to generate electricity as well as to treat for pollutant removal.

scholarly journals Generation of Bioelectricity from Organic Fruit Waste

2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 6-14
Author(s):  
Segundo Rojas Flores ◽  
Renny Nazario-Naveda ◽  
Daniel Delfín-Narciso ◽  
Moises Gallozo Cardenas ◽  
Natalia Diaz Diaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Fuel Cells ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Anode Chamber ◽  
Copper Electrodes ◽  
A Value ◽  
Three Samples ◽  
Residual Sludge ◽  
Tomato Pulp ◽  
Organic Fruit

This research proposes an alternative for companies and farmers through the production of electricity using microbial fuel cells (MFCs) using waste from export products. Nine MFCs were manufactured with zinc and copper electrodes; and as substrates, pineapple, potato and tomato pulp wastes were used in the anode chamber, and residual sludge in the cathode chamber. It was observed that the MFCs with pineapple substrate generated higher values of the electrical parameters, resulting in voltage and current values of 0.3484 ± 0.003 V and 27.88 ± 0.23 mA, respectively. It was also observed that the maximum power density was 0.967 ± 0.059 W/cm2 at a current density of 0.04777 A/cm2 for the same substrate. Acid pH values were observed in the three samples, while the conductivity reached its maximum value on day 23 (69.47 ± 0.91 mS/cm) which declined until the last day of monitoring; the turbidity values increased abruptly after day 22 until the last day where a value of 200.3 ± 2.52 UNT was observed for the pineapple substrate. The scanning electron microscopy for the pineapple substrate MFC electrodes shows the formation of a porous biofilm on the zinc and copper electrodes. These results show that a new form of electricity production has been achieved by generating high voltage and current values, using low-cost materials.

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 Microbial Fuel Cell a Reliable Source for Recovery of Electrical Power from Synthetic Wastewater

2017 ◽  
pp. 627-635
Author(s):  
M. Rahimnejad ◽  
G.D. Najafpour ◽  
A.A. Ghoreyshi ◽  
T. Jafari ◽  
F. Haghparast
Keyword(s):  
Potassium Permanganate ◽  
Microbial Fuel Cells ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Organic Substrate ◽  
Synthetic Wastewater ◽  
Organic Load ◽  
Hybrid Reactor ◽  
Anode Chamber ◽  
Treatment Unit

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were successfully used as a biological process to remove organic load from synthetic wastewater. Electricity was produced via oxidation of biodegradable organic matter in the presence of active biocatalyst. The system was able to generate clean energy at high efficiency. Wastewater contained organic compound used as substrate in the anaerobic chamber of MFC. The chemical energy generated sufficient electrons which were passed through a resistance to identify current density and liberate electric power as energy source. Acetone as biodegradable substrate with concentration of 3g.l-1 was introduced as carbon source in the anode chamber of the MFC. The mixed culture of living microorganisms originated from a biological treatment unit used for anaerobic degradation of organic substrate. The inoculums were supplied by an up flow anaerobic hybrid reactor, a pilot scale bioreactor used for treating pulp and paper wastewater. In this course of treatment, once chemical oxygen demand was removed the current and power was generated while data were recorded via online acquisition system. Also polarization curve was obtained for each set of experiment. In cathode compartment several concentration of ferocynide and potassium permanganate were added to obtain the optimal concentration of oxidizing agents in the cathode chamber. At concentration of 300 μM potassium permanganate, the maximum power and current generated were 22 mW.m-2 and 70 mA.m-2, respectively.

scholarly journals Microbial Fuel Cell: Study of Bioresource Potential of Dairy Effluent and Associated Process Limitations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umair Fazal ◽  
AN Tabish ◽  
Samina Akbar ◽  
Iqra Farhat ◽  
Muneed Irshad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Fuel Cells ◽  
Electrochemical Impedance ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Internal Resistance ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Batch Mode ◽  
Dairy Effluent ◽  
Ohmic Resistance ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Biofilm Development

Abstract Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are devices that exploit the electrochemically active microorganisms for the oxidative conversion of organic compounds into electricity. MFC technology is therefore expected to be a viable solution for domestic and industrial wastewater treatment as an alternative to the currently applied activated-sludge process. Despite its potential, the technology is facing application challenges because of high cost, low stability, and limited understanding of cell design and operation. In this experimental study, a double-chambered MFC with graphite electrodes and a proton-conducting membrane is used in a batch mode to study the potential of resource recovery from dairy effluent and identify the process limitations. Results showed a promising cell performance as the chemical oxygen demand of the wastewater reduced from 4520 mg/l to 850 mg/l in 10 days including the time required for biofilm development. The highest open-circuit voltage of 396 mV was recorded on the third day along with the highest power density of 36.39 mW/m 2 corresponding to a current density of 0.30 A/m 2 . Further, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that the activation polarization of aerated cathode is the main contributor to cell internal resistance followed by the ohmic resistance.

scholarly journals Chitosan-Based Nanocomposite Polymeric Membranes for Water Purification—A Review

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 2091
Author(s):  
Angela Spoială ◽  
Cornelia-Ioana Ilie ◽  
Denisa Ficai ◽  
Anton Ficai ◽  
Ecaterina Andronescu
Keyword(s):  
Water Purification ◽  
Antioxidant Activities ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Synthetic Polymers ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Polymeric Membranes ◽  
Wastewater Purification ◽  
Toxic Compounds ◽  
The Past ◽  
Materials Used

During the past few years, researchers have focused their attention on developing innovative nanocomposite polymeric membranes with applications in water purification. Natural and synthetic polymers were considered, and it was proven that chitosan-based materials presented important features. This review presents an overview regarding diverse materials used in developing innovative chitosan-based nanocomposite polymeric membranes for water purification. The first part of the review presents a detailed introduction about chitosan, highlighting the fact that is a biocompatible, biodegradable, low-cost, nontoxic biopolymer, having unique structure and interesting properties, and also antibacterial and antioxidant activities, reasons for using it in water treatment applications. To use chitosan-based materials for developing nanocomposite polymeric membranes for wastewater purification applications must enhance their performance by using different materials. In the second part of the review, the performance’s features will be presented as a consequence of adding different nanoparticles, also showing the effect that those nanoparticles could bring on other polymeric membranes. Among these features, pollutant’s retention and enhancing thermo-mechanical properties will be mentioned. The focus of the third section of the review will illustrate chitosan-based nanocomposite as polymeric membranes for water purification. Over the last few years, researchers have demonstrated that adsorbent nanocomposite polymeric membranes are powerful, important, and potential instruments in separation or removal of pollutants, such as heavy metals, dyes, and other toxic compounds presented in water systems. Lastly, we conclude this review with a summary of the most important applications of chitosan-based nanocomposite polymeric membranes and their perspectives in water purification.

scholarly journals Cellulose Derived Graphene/Polyaniline Nanocomposite Anode for Energy Generation and Bioremediation of Toxic Metals via Benthic Microbial Fuel Cells

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 135
Author(s):  
Asim Ali Yaqoob ◽  
Mohamad Nasir Mohamad Ibrahim ◽  
Khalid Umar ◽  
Showkat Ahmad Bhawani ◽  
Anish Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Toxic Metals ◽  
Microbial Fuel Cells ◽  
Organic Substrate ◽  
Synthetic Wastewater ◽  
Multiple Parameters ◽  
Pani Composite ◽  
Industrial Level ◽  
Modified Graphene

Benthic microbial fuel cells (BMFCs) are considered to be one of the eco-friendly bioelectrochemical cell approaches nowadays. The utilization of waste materials in BMFCs is to generate energy and concurrently bioremediate the toxic metals from synthetic wastewater, which is an ideal approach. The use of novel electrode material and natural organic waste material as substrates can minimize the present challenges of the BMFCs. The present study is focused on cellulosic derived graphene-polyaniline (GO-PANI) composite anode fabrication in order to improve the electron transfer rate. Several electrochemical and physicochemical techniques are used to characterize the performance of anodes in BMFCs. The maximum current density during polarization behavior was found to be 87.71 mA/m2 in the presence of the GO-PANI anode with sweet potato as an organic substrate in BMFCs, while the GO-PANI offered 15.13 mA/m2 current density under the close circuit conditions in the presence of 1000 Ω external resistance. The modified graphene anode showed four times higher performance than the unmodified anode. Similarly, the remediation efficiency of GO-PANI was 65.51% for Cd (II) and 60.33% for Pb (II), which is also higher than the unmodified graphene anode. Furthermore, multiple parameters (pH, temperature, organic substrate) were optimized to validate the efficiency of the fabricated anode in different environmental atmospheres via BMFCs. In order to ensure the practice of BMFCs at industrial level, some present challenges and future perspectives are also considered briefly.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document