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A scaled-up microbial fuel cell was analyzed and improved, achieving a 13-fold increase in power density to 144 W m⁻³ and a volumetric resistivity of 1.2 mΩ m⁻³ per cell.

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What they did

System
MFC

What worked

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Abstract

Scaling up microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is inevitable when power outputs have to be obtained that can power electrical devices other than small sensors. This research has used a bipolar plate MFC stack of four cells with a total working volume of 20 L and a total membrane surface area of 2 m². The cathode limited MFC performance due to oxygen reduction rate and cell reversal. Furthermore, residence time distribution curves showed that bending membranes resulted in flow paths through which the catholyte could flow from inlet to outlet, while leaving the reactants unconverted. The cathode was improved by decreasing the pH, purging pure oxygen, and increasing the flow rate, which resulted in a 13-fold power density increase to 144 W m⁻³ and a volumetric resistivity of only 1.2 mOmega m³ per cell. Both results are major achievements compared to results currently published for laboratory and scaled-up MFCs. When designing a scaled-up MFC, it is important to ensure optimal contact between electrodes and substrate and to minimize the distances between electrodes.

Key findings

  • Cathode limited MFC performance due to oxygen reduction rate and cell reversal.
  • Bending membranes resulted in flow paths that left reactants unconverted.
  • Optimal contact between electrodes and substrate and minimized electrode distances improved performance.

Keywords

Microbial fuel cellCathodeStack (abstract data type)Power densityElectrodeVolumetric flow rate

Identifiers

DOI
10.1021/es901939r
Journal
Environmental Science & Technology
Year
2009