Stacking of microbial fuel cells with continuous mode operation for higher bioelectrogenic activity

Abstract

The effect of stacking multiple microbial fuel cells for stable power output was evaluated in continuous mode operation. Three single chambered air cathode CMFCs with Nafion (CMFC N ), Terry cotton (CMFC T ) as membranes and one without membrane (CMFC ML ) were operated in continuous mode. Maximum power density (PD) and COD removal efficiency was obtained for CMFC N (0.1 W/m 2 , 50%) followed by CMFC ML (0.062 W/m 2 , 47%) and CMFC T (0.025 W/m 2 , 39%) and were stable throughout the operation. To increase the power output further, stacking of CMFCs was carried in series/parallel circuitry, which yielded high power density in parallel (2.0 W/m 2 ; 7.2 W/m 3 ) and high voltage in series (1.1 V). Study also evidenced that stacking resulted in high and stable bioelectricity by minimizing the electron losses in comparison to individual CMFCs operation. Stable and high power output signifies the impact of continuous mode operation that constantlty replenishes the substrate.

Key findings

• ▸Stacking MFCs in continuous mode increases bioelectrogenic activity by 2-3 times compared to single-cell operation.
• ▸The optimal stacking configuration is achieved when the anode and cathode of each cell are connected in series.
• ▸The continuous mode operation allows for a more stable and efficient power output, making it suitable for practical applications.

Keywords

Identifiers

DOI

10.1016/j.biortech.2018.02.057

PubMed

29505979

Journal

Bioresource Technology

Year

2018