Effects of various parameters on bioenergy generation in microbial fuel cell

Abstract

Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) are a sustainable energy technology with minimal carbon footprint, which is promising for wastewater remediation and generation of useful amounts of electricity.1 Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) are bio-electrochemical devices whose constituent electro-active bacteria harvest electrons and protons by oxidizing organic matter. Electrons travel through the anode to the cathode electrode via an external load, and cat ions diffuse through a cat ion exchange membrane that separates the anode with the cathode. Atmospheric oxygen in the cathode reacts with the incoming electrons and protons to produce water2 Miniaturization of MFCs has been reported in the literature as a more efficient way of generating electricity3 and can be utilized for powering small devices.4 Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can convert organic matter into electricity. In contrast to conventional fuel cells, MFCs have particular advantages such as high energy-conversion efficiency and mild reaction conditions (e.g., ambient temperature, normal pressure, and neutral pH). Moreover, MFCs can convert numerous kinds of organic matters into electricity. These organic compounds include simple carbohydrates, such as glucose,5 acetate and butyrate,6 and complex organic compounds such as those in swine wastewaters,7 domestic wastewater,8 and manure sludge waste generated a maximum electrical current of roughly 60 lA and several hundred of millivolts by connecting graphite foil electrodes in an aerated aerobic zone to those in an anaerobic sludge zone. The feasibility of directly converting sewage sludge into electricity via an MFC was in part demonstrated.