Discover insights from thousands of peer-reviewed papers on microbial electrochemical systems
Wenguo Wu, Huiya Hong, Jia Lin et al.
Biosensors · 2024
Simultaneous monitoring of antimicrobial responses to bacterial metabolic activity and biofilm formation is critical for efficient screening of new anti-biofilm drugs. A microbial fuel cell-based biosensor using Pseudomonas aeruginosa as an electricigen was constructed. The effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the cellular metabolic activity and biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa in the biosensors were investigated and compared with the traditional biofilm detection method. The crystal violet staining results showed that the concentration of AgNPs being increased to 20 and 40 μg/mL had a slight and obvious inhibitory effect on biofilm formation, respectively. In comparison, the detection sensitivity of the biosensor was much higher. When the concentration of AgNPs was 5 μg/mL, the output voltage of the biosensor was suppressed, and the inhibition gradually increased with the AgNPs dose. AgNPs inhibited the activity of planktonic cells in the anolyte and the formation of biofilm on the anode surface, and it had a dose-dependent effect on the secretion of phenazine in the anolyte. The biosensor could monitor the impacts of AgNPs not only on biofilm formation but also on cell activity and metabolic activity. It provides a new and sensitive method for the screening of anti-biofilm drugs.
Bustami Ibrahim, Pipih Suptijah, Bagus Sukma Agung
Jurnal Pengolahan Hasil Perikanan Indonesia · 2017
Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a technology that can produce electricity with helping exoelectrogenic<br />bacteria. The technology can also utilize fishery processing wastewater as a media for bacteria to live, so<br />it can reduce organic pollution load in the wastewater. Purpose of this research was to identify the effect<br />of electrodes distance to electricity and water quality parameters of fisheries processing wastewater using<br />MFC technology.. The MFC system used was single chamber system. The distance between electrodes used<br />were 2 cm, 4 cm and 6 cm and the electrodes were made of stainless wire mesh coated with chitosan and<br />active carbon. The results showed that electrodes distance affected to MFC electricity within salted boiled<br />fish wastewater media. The average value of electric current during 48 hours observation on the distance<br />of 2 cm, 4 cm and 6 cm were 0.17±0.06 mA, 0.46±0.17 mA and 0.44±0.16 mA, respectively. Average values<br />of electric voltage on the distance of 2 cm, 4 cm and 6 cm were 0.12±0.03 V, 0.34±0.07 V and 0.37±0.08 V,<br />respectively. The research also showed that MFC system can decrease average value of BOD 20.5%, COD<br />30.41%, and TAN 21.2 % of salted boiled fish wastewater media.<br /><br />
Jon Chouler, Mirella Di Lorenzo
Water Science and Technology · 2019
Abstract Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology holds enormous potential for inexpensive real-time and onsite testing of water sources. With the intent of defining optimal operational conditions, we investigated the effect of environmental factors (changes in temperature, pH and ionic strength), on the performance of a single chamber miniature MFC sensor. The pH of the influent had the greatest effect on the MFC performance, with a 0.531 ± 0.064 μA cm−2 current variation per unit change of pH. Within the range tested, temperature and ionic strength had only a minor impact (0.010 ± 0.001 μA °C−1 cm−2 and of 0.027 ± 0.003 μA mS−1 cm cm−2 respectively). Under controlled operational conditions, for the first time, we demonstrated the ability of this biosensor to detect one of the most commonly applied pesticides worldwide, atrazine. The sensitivity to atrazine was 1.39 ± 0.26 ppm−1 cm−2, with a detection range of 0.05–0.3 ppm. Guidelines for systematic studies of MFC biosensors for practical applications through a factorial design approach are also provided. Consequently, our work not only enforces the promise of miniature MFC biosensors for organic pollutants detection in waters, but it also provides important directions towards future investigations for infield applications.
Tensay Kifle, Esayas Alemayehu, Chali Dereje Kitila
Environmental Health Engineering and Management · 2023
Background: The energy crisis is a growing problem around the world, requiring the creation of alternative energy sources that can generate less carbon dioxide and benefit the ecosystem. Reutilization of wastewater is becoming the emerging energy solution. Wastewater contains a large amount of organic matter that can be oxidized in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) to produce electricity. MFCs use biodegradable materials to create energy in the presence of microorganisms. Methods: Purposive sampling technique was employed to collect samples from critical polluting sources. The samples were certainly maintained in a refrigerator at 4°C. Several mixes for sample were prepared and tested analytically- for physio-chemical and bacteriological characterizations of each substrate status at pre- and post-treatment stages. Electricity generating capacity of MFCs that employing different substrates was investigated experimentally using batch reactors. The cross-sectional methodology was employed to study possible power generation. Results: The maximum voltage output of 118.93, 144.84, and 89.76 mV were produced keeping the resistance unlimited for MFC1 (urine substrate), MFC2 (blackwater substrate), and MFC3 (graywater substrate), respectively. MFC that utilized graywater as a substrate brought the tiniest quantity of electricity; however, it stood the most stable. The highest COD reduction (65.83%) in the process was reported in urine substrate and the highest BOD5 removal (69.18%) was reported in black water substrate. Conclusion: The experimental results provided a promising indication of MFCs viability, providing hope for future power generation and alternative wastewater treatment option in developing countries.
Diana Marcela Vanegas-Hernández, Mónica Liliana Cardona-Aristizabal, Zulamita Zapata-Benabithe
Revista Facultad de Ingeniería · 2020
In this work, three types of activated carbons were evaluated as electrodes in the anode chamber of a two-chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC). The evaluation was applied using a pure Shewanella Putrefaciens culture due to its gram-negative characteristics. In the cathode chamber, a platinum electrode was used, and a Nafion® 117 proton exchange membrane was selected as a separator of both chambers. The activated carbons were obtained from different precursors (coffee husk, commercial coal, and mineral coal), with different microporous and surface properties. From the voltage and current measurements, it was found that the cell power values varied between 0.008 mW and 0.045 mW. The electrode obtained from chemical activation of coffee husk with H3PO4 at 450 °C (Q) showed the best electrochemical behaviour and highest power values. This result may be mainly related to the macroscopic morphology and mesopores that improve the wettability of the surface by the medium thought carbonaceous material. SEM images showed a better biofilm formation, larger filaments of the bacteria, and micro-beds formation over the surface of bio-anode Q, which improved the interaction with the microorganism, its metabolism, and electrons extracellular transfer. Therefore, activated carbon from coffee husk could be considered as a promising material for electrodes of microbial fuel cells.
Seonyeob Kim, Agha Raza Abid, Jae Jun Jang et al.
Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology · 2013
A new hybrid system of molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) and homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine is suggested to improve the overall system efficiency and performance. In the proposed system, the catalytic burner in a standalone MCFC system is replaced with the HCCI engine. The HCCI engine is chosen over conventional spark-ignition or compression-ignition engines since it has been demonstrated to operate with highly diluted reactant mixture, which is suitable to run directly with the MCFC anode off-gas. A nonisothermal numerical model that incorporates major fuel cell losses is developed to predict the fuel cell performance. The fuel cell model assumes parallel anode and cathode flow configuration with LiNaCO3 as an electrolyte. It is integrated with an in-house HCCI engine model to investigate the hybrid system performance. At the selected design point operation around 300 kW power output, the maximum hybrid system efficiency is 21.2% (relative) higher than that of a standalone fuel cell system and, thus, achieving around 60% overall, which demonstrates the potential of the suggested hybrid system as a highly-efficient distributed power generation source in the near future.
P. Gazdzicki, J. Mitzel, A. M. Dreizler et al.
Fuel Cells · 2017
Abstract The paper focuses on the investigation of durability and performance of a low temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stack as a function of Pt loading in automotive test conditions. Major motivations are problems related to the need to reduce the amount of Pt in membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) in order to make PEMFC more competitive. The particular challenge is to maintain sufficiently high performance and long‐term durability. The study shows that for cathode Pt loadings below 0.2 mg cm −2 and for current densities exceeding 1 A cm −2 a sudden drop of performance is observed. The same threshold value is found for the increase of irreversible voltage losses which lead to an intense reduction of PEMFC durability for cathodic loadings below 0.2 mg cm −2 . Another durability issue at cathodic Pt loadings < 0.4 mg cm −2 is the acceleration of reversible degradation, which leads to a strong voltage drop during continues fuel cell operation (i.e., without a recovery interruption).
Antonia Jimenez Rodríguez, Antonio Serrano, Teresa Benjumea et al.
Emerging Science Journal · 2019
The bioelectrochemical systems are a sustainable technology that can be used to obtain electricity and/or reduced compounds. However, this novel technology presents several challenges prior to its implementation at full-scale. The aim of the present study was to evaluate different nanomaterials of electrode and mediators to increase the performance of BioElectrochemical Systems production. In order to achieve this objective, it was compared the use of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes and Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes plus electron exogenous mediator (Meldola's Blue) against plain graphite anode in order to evaluate the overall start-up time and other electro-chemical features. The use of multi-walled carbon nanotubes reduces substantially (by 75%) the start-up time required in a microbial fuel cell to produce stable voltage both, with and without the use of mediator compare to the plain anode. This reduction of the required time can be a consequence of the formation of anodic binders between this compound and the bacteria. With the independence of the start-up time, the current production was similar in the three studied cases, about 650 mV. Use of nanotubes modified anode surfaces might be especially interesting in cases of recovery after unstable operation of a microbial fuel cell, and/or reducing the start-up time for the generation of energy from new systems.
I. S. Michie, J. R. Kim, R. M. Dinsdale et al.
Water Science and Technology · 2013
For the successful scale-up of microbial fuel cell (MFC) systems, enrichment strategies are required that not only maximise reactor performance but also allow anodic biofilms to be robust to environmental change. Cluster analysis of Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis community fingerprints showed that anodic biofilms were enriched according to substrate type and temperature. Acetate produced the highest power density of 7.2 W m−3 and butyrate the lowest at 0.29 W m−3, but it was also found that the trophic conditions used to acclimate the electrogenic biofilms also determined the MFC response to different substrate types, with both acetate and butyrate substrates recording power densities of 1.07 and 1.0 W m−3 respectively in a sucrose enriched reactor. When temperature perturbations were introduced to investigate the stability of the different substrate acclimated electrogenic biofilms, the 20 °C acclimated acetate reactor was unaffected by 10 °C operation but all reactors acclimated at 35 °C were adversely affected. When the operating temperature was raised back to 35 °C both the acetate and butyrate reactors recovered electrogenic activity but the sucrose reactor did not. It is thought that this was due to the more complex syntropic interactions that are required to occur when metabolising more complex substrate types.
Khair Un Nisa, Williane da Silva Freitas, Alessandra D’Epifanio et al.
Catalysts · 2024
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are sustainable energy recovery systems because they use organic waste as biofuel. Using critical raw materials (CRMs), like platinum-group metals, at the cathode side threatens MFC technology’s sustainability and raises costs. By developing an efficient electrode design for MFC performance enhancement, CRM-based cathodic catalysts should be replaced with CRM-free materials. This work proposes developing and optimizing iron-based air cathodes for enhancing oxygen reduction in MFCs. By subjecting iron phthalocyanine and carbon black pearls to controlled thermal treatments, we obtained Fe-based electrocatalysts combining high surface area (628 m2 g−1) and catalytic activity for O2 reduction at near-neutral pH. The electrocatalysts were integrated on carbon cloth and carbon paper to obtain gas diffusion electrodes whose architecture was optimized to maximize MFC performance. Excellent cell performance was achieved with the carbon-paper-based cathode modified with the Fe-based electrocatalysts (maximum power density-PDmax = 1028 mWm−2) compared to a traditional electrode design based on carbon cloth (619 mWm−2), indicating the optimized cathodes as promising electrodes for energy recovery in an MFC application.
Ivar Kruusenberg, Kush Chadha, Taarini Atal
ECS Meeting Abstracts · 2022
It is of utmost importance to develop light weight fuel cell stacks and find the ways to integrate these to light weight and low temperature fuel cell systems. In order to meet the future energy demands non-polluting, compact, transportation and portable applications are required. Current energy systems have lower power density (kW/kg) resulting in optimized power only at higher overall weight. Systems with higher power density demands higher initial setup costs. Low temperature PEMFC, on other hand offers various advantages but fails to provide the required output without exceeding the weight of the fuel cell stack and thereby fuel cell systems. A fuel cell system consists of a fuel cell stack, compressed gas in cylinder, pressure relief valves, regulators, water pump, sensors and cvm. A fuel cell stack is the main component consisting of one of the devices with maximum weight and cost contribution. In such case, developing a system with stack having higher power density reduces overall weight and increases power density (kW/kg). PowerUP Energy Technologies has developed light weight fuel cell stack to achieve higher power density. Experiments considering flow field designs, recirculation strategy, different anode configuration has been a subject of study. Dead-end anode, closed cathode configuration of fuel cell stack further improves fuel utilization. Recirculation line of hydrogen if further added can improve in overall fuel utilization. Counter flow arrangement for reactant distribution further removes the necessity of humidifying the gases. This result in removal of humidifiers and thereby reducing the weight of the fuel cell system in total. Portable fuel cell systems have flexibility for ease in transportation and stationery solutions. Furthermore, lighter fuel cell stacks add advantage for higher output power at lower overall weights. This stack developed is further optimized with improved flow field designs and design of manifold. These fuel cell stacks are used in PowerUP’s portable fuel cell electric generators that are more efficient and sustainable than the currently used fossil fuel based solutions.
Dinh Thi Thu Ha, Pham Ngoc Phat
Vietnam Journal of Science and Technology · 2024
The two main pollution parameters, BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) and COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), are crucial factors in assessing water quality and pollution levels. Currently, COD can be measured using sensor devices, while BOD relies on the activity of microorganisms. Traditionally, the quantification of biologically oxidizable organic carbon involves measuring oxygen consumption over a five-day period, commonly known as the BOD5 test. However, the BOD5 test has several disadvantages, such as its time-consuming nature, unsuitability for process control, and the requirement for highly skilled samplers. It was hypothesized that the output of a single-chamber microbial fuel cell (SCMFC) with an air cathode could serve as an alternative method for measuring BOD. To validate this hypothesis, this study conducted some experiments using the model of SCMFC. When artificial wastewater, utilizing sodium acetate as fuel, was employed, a strong linear correlation (R2 > 0.99) between the total charge transferred and BOD5 concentration was confirmed. Additionally, the linear relationship was also investigated for real domestic wastewater. This relationship was also examined for real domestic wastewater, resulting in a combined correlation with an R2 value exceeding 0.98. Until now, research on biosensors (particularly SCMFC-based biosensors) in Vietnam has been relatively new and not extensively conducted. The results of this study could provide a solid foundation for the development of continuous and onsite BOD sensors to monitor BOD concentrations in wastewater streams.
Sho Tamura, Motoaki Morita, Shinichi Motoda et al.
ECS Transactions · 2014
It has been reported that the potential of stainless steel (S.S.) ennobles to 400 mV by the formation of biofilm in seawater. This phenomenon can lead to the development of a battery by coupling an active counter electrode. On the other hand, TiO 2 is well known as an n-type semiconductor which exhibits the photo-catalytic effect under the UV irradiation. When a TiO 2 coated metal is irradiated by the UV light, excited electrons are transferred to the base metal, this phenomenon leads to the active shift of electrode potential. This effect can be applied to microbial fuel cell as a non-sacrifice electrode. We have investigated the electrochemical characteristics of the marine microbial fuel cell (MMFC) composed of biofilm covered stainless steel cathode and TiO 2 anode in seawater. However, it is needed to improve the photo-potential characteristics of electrodes for the practical application.The present work attempted to improve the battery performance by assembling the double layered TiO 2 anode electrode.Results from experimental, by using the double layered anode for MFC, cell voltage increases 120 mV and maximum power density enhances 1.4 times compared with the value of single layered one coated by squeegee printing method. The double layered electrode has anatase / rutile hetero-junction, therefore it promotes the electron transfer between base metal and TiO 2 coating interface. In addition, the double layered electrode has a high durability against the cyclic irradiation because TiO 2 intermediate layer behaves as a corrosion protective barrier which suppresses the direct contact between electrolyte and base metal.
Xiao Li Wang, Chen Wu, Jia Qi Zhang et al.
Advanced Materials Research · 2010
In this paper, it has been studied the acclimation stage of a synthetic wastewater fed with glucose as a carbon source, using a tow-chambers microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Special attention has been paid to the start-up. During the acclimation period, the microbial fuel cells (MFCs) will be exposed to variations in operating parameters. Hence, the acclimation stage of MFCs, exposed to variation in the influent COD, operating temperature, and electron acceptor, was investigated in the terms of power density, COD removal efficiency, and voltage while treating a synthetic wastewater. The power density is increased and the acclimation period is prolonged with the increase of the influent COD up to meet steady-state conditions. It is important to note that the acclimation of MFCs is not only impacted by the electricity-generating bacteria, but by the whole biological. The highest steady-state voltage, which is about 404mV, is obtained at 35°C, comparing to the operating temperature of 15°C or 25°C. In addition, the electron acceptor will obviously influence the steady-state voltage and start-up period.
Ying Wang, Cui‐e Zhao, Dong Sun et al.
ChemPlusChem · 2013
Abstract A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is an innovative power‐output device, which utilizes microorganisms to metabolize fuel and transfers electrons to the electrode surface. In this study, we decorated the surface of graphene (G) with a conducting polymer, poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), through galvanostatic electropolymerization to fabricate a G/PEDOT hybrid anode for an Escherichia coli MFC. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analyses illustrated that the G/PEDOT hybrid anode possesses a larger active surface area and lower charge‐transfer resistance than three other kinds of anodes, namely, carbon paper (CP), graphene‐modified carbon paper (CP/G), and PEDOT‐modified carbon paper (CP/PEDOT). Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the bacteria growth on the four anodes. A compact biofilm was formed on the hybrid anode owing to the electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged bacteria and positively charged PEDOT backbone. The constant‐load (1 KΩ) discharge curves of MFCs with CP, CP/G, CP/PEDOT, and G/PEDOT anodes revealed that the G/PEDOT electrode had good stability and high voltage output. The G/PEDOT anode generated a maximum power density of 873 mW m −2 , which is about 15 times higher than that of CP (55 mW m −2 ) in an H‐shaped dual‐chamber MFC. All the experimental results suggest that the performance of the G/PEDOT hybrid anode is superior to the CP, CP/G, or CP/PEDOT anode.
Barbara Janina Włodarczyk, Paweł Piotr Włodarczyk
Civil and Environmental Engineering Reports · 2024
Due to the constant growth of the world's population, the amount of generated wastewater is also constantly increasing. One of the devices that can use wastewater as a raw material for energy production is a microbial fuel cell (MFC). MFCs technology is constantly evolving. However, to increase its use, it is necessary to improve its efficiency. There are various possibilities to ensure this, such as the use of new electrode materials, new cell designs, or the use of wastewaters from different sources. In this paper the analysis of MFC operation (cell voltage, power, and current density) fed by mixed municipal and industrial wastewaters was shown. Moreover, the change in time of COD was analyzed. Due to cost reduction the membrane-less microbial fuel cell (ML-MFC) was chosen. It was noted that the addition of concentrated process wastewater increases the COD reduction time in the ML-MFC. An increase of generated bioelectricity during fed ML-MFC by mixed municipal and industrial (process wastewater from yeast production) wastewater was demonstrated. The highest values of average cell voltage (598 mV), maximum power (4.47 mW) and maximum current density (0.26 mA·cm-2) were obtained for a 10% share of yeast process wastewater in the mixed wastewater, which fed the ML-MFC.
Anwar Ma'ruf, Agus Mulyadi Purnawanto, Latiful Hayat et al.
International Journal of Energy for a Clean Environment · 2023
Microbial fuel cell is a new technology that utilizes bacteria as biochemicals to convert energy stored in organic/inorganic compounds, which is easily degraded into electrical energy. Apart from being able to produce electrical energy, the implementation of this technology can help solve the problem of processing wastewater resulting from cassava fermentation. The specific aim of the research is to examine the effect of cassava fermentation wastewater concentration and the effect of urea addition on the productivity of electricity produced and the reduction in the quality of cassava fermentation wastewater. From the research results, it can be concluded that the higher the cassava fermentation wastewater concentration, the smaller the electrical energy produced. The optimum initial cassava fermentation wastewater concentration is 20&#37; v/v, with an average volumetric power density produced of 58.56 W/m<sup>3</sup>. The higher the concentration of added urea, the smaller the electrical energy produced. The optimum concentration of urea addition is 0.16-0.33 g/L. There is a linear relationship between the electricity produced and the decrease in total suspended solid (TSS) and total dissolved solid (TDS). The higher the electricity produced, indicating high bacterial activity, will cause a decrease in TSS and TDS.
Yue Dong, Yujie Feng, Youpeng Qu et al.
Scientific Reports · 2015
Abstract Energy self-sufficiency is a highly desirable goal of sustainable wastewater treatment. Herein, a combined system of a microbial fuel cell and an intermittently aerated biological filter (MFC-IABF) was designed and operated in an energy self-sufficient manner. The system was fed with synthetic wastewater (COD = 1000 mg L −1 ) in continuous mode for more than 3 months at room temperature (~25 °C). Voltage output was increased to 5 ± 0.4 V using a capacitor-based circuit. The MFC produced electricity to power the pumping and aeration systems in IABF, concomitantly removing COD. The IABF operating under an intermittent aeration mode (aeration rate 1000 ± 80 mL h −1 ) removed the residual nutrients and improved the water quality at HRT = 7.2 h. This two-stage combined system obtained 93.9% SCOD removal and 91.7% TCOD removal (effluent SCOD = 61 mg L −1 , TCOD = 82.8 mg L −1 ). Energy analysis indicated that the MFC unit produced sufficient energy (0.27 kWh m −3 ) to support the pumping system (0.014 kWh m −3 ) and aeration system (0.22 kWh m −3 ). These results demonstrated that the combined MFC-IABF system could be operated in an energy self-sufficient manner, resulting to high-quality effluent.
Asim Ali Yaqoob, Mohamad Nasir Mohamad Ibrahim, Amira Suriaty Yaakop et al.
Applied Water Science · 2022
Abstract This study aims to improve electron transfer and cobalt remediation efficiency through microbial fuel cells (MFCs) by modifying the electrode material. The fabrication and alteration of the anode can be accomplished by synthesizing biomass-derived graphene oxide (GO) and adding metal oxides (ZnO and TiO 2 ) as modifiers. The prepared GO anode offered 0.148 mW/m 2 power density while GO-ZnO delivered 8.2 times and GO-TiO 2 composite anode delivered 5.3 times higher power density than GO. Similarly, the achieved current density of GO was 39.47 mA/m 2 while GO-ZnO composite anode delivered 75.43 mA/m 2 and GO-TiO 2 composite anode offered 67.54 mA/m 2 . During the biological characterizations of biofilm, the Bacillus sp . and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains were majorly found as exoelectrogens and metal-reducing species. The maximum remediation efficiency of cobalt (II) was 80.10% (GO), 91% (GO-ZnO composite anode), and 88.45% (GO-TiO 2 composite anode) on day 45. The remediation and SEM results of anode biofilm clearly show that the prepared anodes are highly biocompatible with the bacteria. Furthermore, the effect of pH and temperature on MFCs performance are also explained with prepared anodes. Each anode offered significant perspectives in parameter optimizations.
Sigita Bendinskaite, Ingrida Bruzaite, Juste Rozene et al.
Journal of The Electrochemical Society · 2024
The world’s growing energy crisis demands renewable energy sources. This issue can be solved using microbial fuel cells (MFCs). MFCs are biocatalytic systems which convert chemical energy into electrical energy, thereby reducing pollution from hazardous chemical compounds. However, during the development of MFCs, one of the most significant challenges is finding and assessment of microorganisms that generate sufficient redox potential through metabolic and catalytic processes. In this research, we have used Ensifer meliloti (E. meliloti) bacteria to design MFCs based on consecutive action of two redox mediators (9,10 - phenanthrenequinone (PQ) and potassium ferricyanide), which transferred charge between E. meliloti bacteria and graphite rod electrode. A viability study of E. meliloti culture showed that PQ significantly inhibits the growth of bacteria at 0.036 mM. Cyclic voltammograms were registered in the presence of 20 mM of potassium ferricyanide and different concentrations (0.036 and 0.071 mM, 0.11 mM, 0.14 mM, 0.172 mM, 0.32 mM) of PQ. Four days of lasting assessment of the microbial fuel cells in two-electrode systems showed that the maximal open circuit potential during the experiment raised from 174.9 to 234.6 mV. Power increased from 0.392 to 0.741 mW m −2 .
Fan Zhou, Samuel Simon Araya, Ionela Florentina Grigoras et al.
ASME 2014 12th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology · 2014
Degradation tests of two phosphoric acid (PA) doped PBI membrane based HT-PEM fuel cells were reported in this paper to investigate the effects of start/stop and the presence of methanol in the fuel to the performance degradation. Continuous tests with H2 and simulated reformate which was composed of H2, water steam and methanol as the fuel were performed on both single cells. 12-h-startup/12-h-shutdown dynamic tests were performed on the first single cell with pure dry H2 as the fuel and on the second single cell with simulated reformate as the fuel. Along with the tests electrochemical techniques such as polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were employed to study the degradation mechanisms of the fuel cells. Both single cells showed an increase in the performance in the H2 continuous tests, because of a decrease in the ORR kinetic resistance probably due to the redistribution of PA between the membrane and electrodes. EIS measurement of first fuel cell during the start/stop test showed that the mass transfer resistance and ohmic resistance increased which can be attributed to the corrosion of carbon support in the catalyst layer and degradation of the PBI membrane. During the continuous test with simulated reformate as the fuel the ORR kinetic resistance and mass transfer resistance of both single cells increased. The performance of the second single cell experienced a slight decrease during the start/stop test with simulated reformate as the fuel.
Shunliang Liu, Yali Feng, Haoran Li
Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology · 2022
Abstract BACKGROUND To understand the effect of electron shuttle compounds on the electron transfer behavior of MFC and the formation process of microbially fabricated nanowires. In this paper, 2,6‐anthraquinone desulfonation (AQDS) and Fe(OH) 3 were used as electron mediator and electron acceptor, respectively, to study the effect of electron mediator on the formation of bio‐nanowires during the growth of Geobacter metallireducens in the double chamber MFC reactor (MFC), and the effects of electron transfer efficiency and electrical current characteristic. RESULTS The results show that the culture process of the Geobacter metallireducens with Fe(OH) 3 as an electron acceptor, the reduction product Fe(II) concentration in solution without AQDS was higher than that with AQDS after 10 days due to the formation of microbial nanowires. In comparison, the Pili protein content of the system without AQDS reached 336 ug/mL, which was higher than the AQDS system. Nanowires increased the transfer efficiency between biofilm and electrodes, which increased the maximum output voltage of MFC was 442 mV. CONCLUSION At the same time, it was found by electrochemical measurements that the nanowire biofilm electrode had a huge peak of the cyclic voltammetry curve, a small activation resistance, and a strong current response signal, indicating that the nanowires enhanced the electrochemical activity of the electrode. In addition, an electron transfer medium (AQDS) inhibited the expression of aromatic amino acids, tryptophan, and mtrC. Moreover, it destroyed the overlapping π‐π orbits of the aromatic parts, resulting in reduced and thinner nanowires and then decreasing the conductivity of synthetic organic materials like metals. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Parviz Khujaev, Turobcul Kholmuratov, Jamshed Ismatullozoda Ismatullo et al.
E3S Web of Conferences · 2022
The topical issue of efficient fuel combustion when using hot water boilers is considered. Indeed, this is a very important issue that is directly related to the rational use of resources, reducing the cost of providing thermal energy and reducing the negative impact on the environment. As a result, today the production and operation of hot water boilers must meet high standards of efficiency and environmental friendliness in order to ensure an optimal balance between economic efficiency and environmental protection. Moreover, the development of new energy-saving technologies and fuel combustion systems is an important area of scientific and technological progress to improve people's living conditions and ensure sustainable development. Burning fuel in large quantities leads to certain losses, which reduces the efficiency of the boiler. Therefore, there were mainly small energy-saving furnaces designed for burning fuel. The author proposed a small boiler with a furnace in which a vertical grate is used. Burning any fuel in such a furnace reduced heat loss by 2 times and harmful emissions into the atmosphere by 1.5 times. The efficiency of the heating processes in the boiler was evaluated during one heating season. The cost of providing thermal energy compared to other operating boiler houses amounted to 14400 somoni (1200 dollars), which is 18% less than the initial costs of previous years.
Yajun Wang, Rajendra Prasad Singh, Junyu Zhang et al.
Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua · 2019
Abstract Bioretention cell (BRC) and an enhanced system combining bioretention cell with microbial fuel cell (BRC-MFC) were used to treat domestic wastewater. Nitrogen removal characteristics and permeation characteristics of two systems were investigated by adjusting influent carbon/nitrogen ratio (C/N = 2–20). Results showed that nitrification and denitrification performances were mainly influenced by organic matter and system combination, which further effected the nitrogen removal. When optimal operating parameters were: electrode space of 30 cm, hydraulic load of 1.0 m3/(m2·d) and inlet/reaction time of 1/8 in BRC-MFC system, chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN) and NH4+ removal efficiencies still reached 97.63, 64, and 42.26%, respectively and achieved high removal efficiency of organic matter and nitrogen simultaneously compared to the BRC system. Efficient supply of electron and phylogenetic diversity of bacterial communities in BRC-MFC process was the main reason to achieve deep denitrification removal. After the V3-V4 variable region of 16S rRNA gene was sequenced by the Miseq high-throughput sequencing method, introduction of MFC enhancement technology affected the microbial community structure in the system. The presence of MFC contributed to an increase in community diversity (from 14 to 19 phyla). The results provide a simple method without kinetic energy for simultaneous denitrification and steady infiltration of bioretention.
Yasna Acevedo Gomez, Göran Lindbergh, Carina Lagergren
Molecules · 2020
While the market for fuel cell vehicles is increasing, these vehicles will still coexist with combustion engine vehicles on the roads and will be exposed to an environment with significant amounts of contaminants that will decrease the durability of the fuel cell. To investigate different recovery methods, in this study, a PEM fuel cell was contaminated with 100 ppm of NO2 at the cathode side. The possibility to recover the cell performance was studied by using different airflow rates, different current densities, and by subjecting the cell to successive polarization curves. The results show that the successive polarization curves are the best choice for recovery; it took 35 min to reach full recovery of cell performance, compared to 4.5 h of recovery with pure air at 0.5 A cm−2 and 110 mL min−1. However, the performance recovery at a current density of 0.2 A cm−2 and air flow 275 mL min−1 was done in 66 min, which is also a possible alternative. Additionally, two operation techniques were suggested and compared during 7 h of operation: air recovery and air depletion. The air recovery technique was shown to be a better choice than the air depletion technique.
Anuradh Gunawardena, Sandun Fernando, Filip To
International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2008
Saccharomyces cerevisiae present in common Baker’s yeast was used in a microbial fuel cell in which glucose was the carbon source. Methylene blue was used as the electronophore in the anode compartment, while potassium ferricyanide and methylene blue were tested as electron acceptors in the cathode compartment. Microbes in a mediator-free environment were used as the control. The experiment was performed in both open and closed circuit configurations under different loads ranging from 100 kΩ to 400Ω. The eukaryotic S. cerevisiae-based fuel cell showed improved performance when methylene blue and ferricyanide were used as electron mediators, rendering a maximum power generation of 146.71±7.7 mW/m3. The fuel cell generated a maximum open circuit voltage of 383.6±1.5 mV and recorded a maximum efficiency of 28±1.8 % under 100 kΩ of external load.
Dang‐Trang Nguyen, Kozo Taguchi
IEEJ Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Engineering · 2019
In this letter, a disposable micropower source was developed by integrating a microbial fuel cell (MFC) in filter paper. The paper‐based MFC could harvest electrical energy generated by Escherichia coli during the metabolic process. The air‐dried biofilm anode was activated by water for on‐demand electricity generation. This study aimed to optimize the anodic and cathodic materials for maximization of the MFC performance. The concentration of activated carbon powder in the anode and potassium ferricyanide in the cathode were optimized. The paper‐based MFC with the optimum anode and cathode generated a maximum power density of 8.4 µW/cm 2 . © 2019 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Tri Mulyono, Zulfikar Zulfikar, Misto Misto et al.
Computational And Experimental Research In Materials And Renewable Energy · 2023
The substrate is an important factor for efficient electricity production in Microbial Fuel Cell systems. The substrate is an organic compound that promotes the growth of active microbes. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of substrate type and concentration on the bioelectricity produced by a single-chamber MFC. Fructose and butyric acid were used as substrates and carbon felt used as an electrode. Types and variations in substrate concentration were applied to the soil media used in the MFC. After 3 weeks of incubation, the optimum power density value achieved by MFC with 90 g/L fructose substrate was 20.5 mW/m2. Whereas, MFC treated with 800 mg/L butyric acid produced a maximum power density of 19.7 mW/m2.Keywords: Substrate, Fructose, Butyric acid, Power density, Microbial Fuel Cell.
Ramesh Aryal, Chunjie Xia, Jia Liu
Water Environment Research · 2019
Abstract A two‐chambered microbial fuel cell (MFC) was used for the first time for the remediation of an emerging contaminant—1,4‐dioxane in its anode chamber. Groundwater historically detected 1,4‐dioxane contamination was sampled from a Superfund site. Comparative study was carried out between metabolic (i.e., 1,4‐dioxane as sole carbon source) and cometabolic (i.e., 1,4‐dioxane and methanol as carbon sources) anodic degradations. It was found that cometabolic degradation increased 1,4‐dioxane removal by 10%–52% after 7 days and increased maximum power production of the MFC by 18% to 88.9 mW/m 3 . Oxalic acid was detected as a main metabolic degradation product. Beside oxalic acid, acetic acid and isopropanol were also detected as main products for cometabolic degradation. The presence of a biofilm for 1,4‐dioxane anodic degradation was observed by a scanning electron microscopy. Phyla of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria, as well as a variety of species, were identified for the first time—especially Rikenella sp. and Solitalea canadensis , whose relative abundances were the highest of 18.8% and 24.0% for metabolic and cometabolic degradation, respectively. This study provided an innovative and sustainable approach for 1,4‐dioxane anodic biodegradation, which would be potentially utilized for remediation of groundwater contaminated by 1,4‐dioxane. Practitioner points Groundwater contaminated with 1,4‐dioxane was remediated in the anode chamber of a two‐chambered microbial fuel cell. Cometabolic pathway increased 1,4‐dioxane removal and power production of the MFC compared to metabolic pathway. The presence of a biofilm for 1,4‐dioxane anodic degradation was observed, and oxalic acid was a main degradation product. This study would be potentially utilized for 1,4‐dioxane‐contaminated groundwater remediation with simultaneous energy production. External voltage supply for bioelectrochemical remediation of groundwater would potentially be reduced when treating chlorinated hydrocarbons co‐occurred with 1,4‐dioxane.
Esra Ateş, Selim Latif Sanin
Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Ethiopia · 2024
This study aimed to use whey and river sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) to produce electrical potential, which has been investigated rarely in previous studies. In this study, the majority of the microorganisms in the river SMFC mixed culture were Bacteroides and Clostridium. After the voltage and internal resistance were measured, the current and power density were calculated. The power density (279*10-3 mW/cm2 ) and maximum current density (1100*10-6 mA/cm2 ) were determined through computations. Bacteria present in river SMFCs showed the potential to generate electricity without any external mediators. By utilizing organic materials, bioelectricity can be produced affordably and sustainably. KEY WORDS: Electrical potential, SMFC, Treatment, Whey, River sediment Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2024, 38(5), 1479-1491. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v38i5.22
Georgios Bampos, Symeon Bebelis
Electronics · 2022
A 21.7 wt.% Pd—7.3 wt.% Zn/C electrocatalyst prepared via the wet impregnation (w.i.) method was deposited onto commercial carbon cloth (E-TEK) and tested towards its electrocatalytic performance as a cathode electrode material for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in a H2 fueled single proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). A commercial PtRu electrode (E-TEK) was used as PEM anode for hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR). The performance of the aforementioned PEMFC was compared with that of the same PEMFC with two different Pt-based cathodes, which were prepared by deposition onto commercial carbon cloth (E-TEK) of 29 wt.% Pt/C synthesized via w.i. and of commercial 29 wt.% Pt/C (TKK). The metal loading of the tested cathode electrodes was 0.5 mgmet cm−2. Comparison was based both on polarization curves and on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements at varying cell potential. In terms of power density, the lowest and highest performance was exhibited by the PEMFC with the 21.7 wt.% Pd—7.3 wt.% Zn/C cathode and the PEMFC with the commercial 29 wt.% Pt/C (TKK) cathode electrode, respectively. This behavior was in accordance with the results of EIS measurements, which showed that the PEMFC with the 21.7 wt.% Pd—7.3 wt.% Zn/C cathode exhibited the highest polarization resistance.
Pimprapa Chaijak, Nopparit Changkit, Alisa Kongthong
Acta Scientiarum Polonorum. Formatio Circumiectus · 2024
Aim of the study In our investigation, the freshwater microalgae Chlorella sp. BF01 to degrade the melanoidin in the palm oil mill effluent and generate electricity in the photosynthetic microbial fuel cell (PMFC). Material and methods The freshwater microalgae Chlorella sp. were used in a PMFC consortium for the degradation of melanoidin and electricity generation. The removal (%), electrochemical properties, and biomass recovery were monitored without adding exogenous medium. Results and conclusions In this study, lipid-producing microalgae were employed as whole-cell biocatalysts in a PMFC using palm oil mill effluent as a substrate. The maximal melanoidin removal of 79.54±0.45% was gained. The maximum power density reached was 3.98±0.10 W/m3. The research presents findings that pave the way for the practical implementation of this innovative approach on an industrial scale.
Panuwat Ekdharmasuit
Trends in Sciences · 2024
One of the main challenges with passive direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) is ethanol transport management since the liquid ethanol is supplied to the anode compartment by natural processes including convection and diffusion with a low cell operating condition. The significant layer in the cell is the diffusion layer (DL), which facilitates reactants to reach the anode catalyst layer (CL). In this study, the impact of various DLs fabricated of readily accessible commercial materials on cell performance in passive DEFCs with different ethanol feed concentrations was examined with various in-situ characterization methods. The results demonstrate that the cell with a DL coated by the hydrophobic microporous layer (MPL) yielded the best performance of 0.887 mW·cm-2 at the optimal ethanol feed concentration of 5 M. In conclusion, the benefits of enhancing ethanol mass transfer to the anode CL would outweigh the drawbacks of preventing ethanol crossover to the cathode. HIGHLIGHTS The effect of the anode diffusion layer (DL) on passive direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) performance was determined Five different anode DLs fabricated of readily accessible commercial materials were employed Various characterizations enabled the assessment of each loss affecting the passive DEFC performance The cell with an anode DL modified with a hydrophobic microporous layer (MPL) exhibited the best cell performance The optimal ethanol feed concentration of the best cell was found to be 5 M GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Zainab z. Ismail, Ahmed Yasir Radeef
Journal of Engineering · 2019
This study aimed to investigate the effect of total suspended solids (TSS) on the performance of a continuously operated dual-chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC) proceeded by primary clarifier to treat actual potato chips processing wastewater. The system was also tested in the absence of the primary clarifier and the results demonstrated a significant effect of TSS on the polarization curve of the MFC which was obtained by operating the graphite anodic electrode against Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The maximum observed power and current densities were decreased form 102.42 mW/m2 and 447.26 mA/m2 to 80.16 mW/m2 and 299.10 mA/m2, respectively due to the adverse effect of TSS. Also, the internal resistance increased from 40 to 70Ω.
Okan Avci, Yudum T. Büyüksünetçi, Ziba Güley et al.
ChemistrySelect · 2021
Abstract In this work, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis DLP27 (L .lactis) strain isolated from a traditional Turkish raw milk cheese, Divle Obruk Cheese, was used as a biocatalyst on the bioanode combined with a platinum cathode to fabricate a Nafion membrane based double compartment microbial fuel cell (MFC). Graphene‐gold‐platinum hybrid nanomaterial was used as modifier in L. lactis immobilized carbon felt based bioanode. Developed Nafion membrane based double compartment MFC characteristics were inspected by using optimized bioanode. In consequence, an open‐circuit voltage of 0.282 V, a maximum current density of 59.52 μA/cm 2 and a maximum power density of 2.12 μW/cm 2 were achieved with excellent lifetime of 49 days with developed MFC system.
Juan Carlos Fragoso-Jiménez, Rosa María Gutierrez-Rios, Noemí Flores et al.
Microbial Cell Factories · 2022
Abstract Background The modification of glucose import capacity is an engineering strategy that has been shown to improve the characteristics of Escherichia coli as a microbial factory. A reduction in glucose import capacity can have a positive effect on production strain performance, however, this is not always the case. In this study, E. coli W3110 and a group of four isogenic derivative strains, harboring single or multiple deletions of genes encoding phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS)-dependent transporters as well as non-PTS transporters were characterized by determining their transcriptomic response to reduced glucose import capacity. Results These strains were grown in bioreactors with M9 mineral salts medium containing 20 g/L of glucose, where they displayed specific growth rates ranging from 0.67 to 0.27 h −1 , and specific glucose consumption rates ( qs ) ranging from 1.78 to 0.37 g/g h. RNA-seq analysis revealed a transcriptional response consistent with carbon source limitation among all the mutant strains, involving functions related to transport and metabolism of alternate carbon sources and characterized by a decrease in genes encoding glycolytic enzymes and an increase in gluconeogenic functions. A total of 107 and 185 genes displayed positive and negative correlations with qs , respectively. Functions displaying positive correlation included energy generation, amino acid biosynthesis, and sugar import. Conclusion Changes in gene expression of E. coli strains with impaired glucose import capacity could be correlated with qs values and this allowed an inference of the physiological state of each mutant. In strains with lower qs values, a gene expression pattern is consistent with energy limitation and entry into the stationary phase. This physiological state could explain why these strains display a lower capacity to produce recombinant protein, even when they show very low rates of acetate production. The comparison of the transcriptomes of the engineered strains employed as microbial factories is an effective approach for identifying favorable phenotypes with the potential to improve the synthesis of biotechnological products.
Atikur Rahman, Md Saidul Borhan, Shafiqur Rahman
Water Science and Technology · 2017
Abstract Bioelectricity 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, &gt;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.
Luca Andreassi, Stefano Cordiner, Massimo Feola et al.
Volume 1 · 2003
Fuel cells (FC) technology applied to energy production could represent an effective solution to face greenhouse gas emissions and to differentiate energy sources. However, real performances of FC systems still represent a critical issue in the definition of an assessed and economically competitive technology. In fact, FC performances depend on many variables such as temperature, pressure, current, membrane humidification, stoichiometry of the reactant gas, etc.; additionally, many of these influencing parameters depend one on the other, further complicating the analysis. Numerical simulation could greatly contribute to a better understanding of the influence of design parameters. Nevertheless, the availability of experimental data to validate and to verify the numerical models is an imperative issue. The primary target of the research activity described in this paper is the set up of an experimental test bench for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEM FC) at the Department of Mechanical Engineer of the University of Roma Tor Vergata aiming to completely test 8 cells 0.1 kW stack: the measured data are fundamental to validate the numerical models which have been developed by the Authors following different hierarchical levels (both semi-empirical and dimensional analytical approach) with different predictive capabilities. This apparatus allows the control of the reactant gas mass flow rates, stack pressure, humidity, current, temperature and voltage. In this way it is possible to assess a mixed experimental-numerical methodology allowing a tuning procedure for the developed models making a wide use of dedicated experimental data. The preliminary results in terms of comparisons between experimental and computational data show a good agreement even by varying some of the most performance-affecting parameters such as operating pressure and temperature.
Aris Mukimin, Nur Zen, Hanny Vistanty et al.
Jurnal Riset Teknologi Pencegahan Pencemaran Industri · 2020
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.
Ruiwen Wang, Mei Yan, Huidong Li et al.
Advanced Materials · 2018
Abstract Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have received great attention worldwide due to their potential in recovering electrical energy from waste and inexhaustible biomass. Unfortunately, the difficulty of achieving the high power, especially in real samples, remains a bottleneck for their practical applications. Herein, FeS 2 nanoparticles decorated graphene is fabricated via a simple hydrothermal reaction. The FeS 2 nanoparticles decorated graphene anode not only benefits bacterial adhesion and enrichment of electrochemically active Geobacter species on the electrode surface but also promotes efficient extracellular electron transfer, thus giving rise to a fast start‐up time of 2 d, an unprecedented power density of 3220 mW m −2 and a remarkable current density of 3.06 A m −2 in the acetate‐feeding and mixed bacteria‐based MFCs. Most importantly, the FeS 2 nanoparticles decorated graphene anode successfully achieves a power density of 310 mW m −2 with simultaneous removal of 1319 ± 28 mg L −1 chemical oxygen demand in effluents from a beer factory wastewater. The characteristics of improved power generation and enhanced pollutant removal efficiency opens the door toward development of high‐performance MFCs via rational anode design for practical application.