MESSAI.iO

AI summary

70% confidence

Benthic microbial fuel cells (BMFCs) using sediments from the Bay of Campeche, Mexico, achieved a current density and power density of 929.7 ± 9.5 mA/m² and 109.6 ± 7.5 mW/m² respectively, with 54% removal of organic matter.

Generated by MESSAI extraction pipeline · review against source PDF

Generic MFCRepresentative model
Click to animate flow
loading 3D model…

Representative MFC — matched on the paper’s system type only, not its reactor or geometry.

Extraction

Reported parameters

65 extracted values

View extracted values

Open in lab for full controls, parameter editing, and template overlays.

Open in lab →

What they did

System
MFC

What worked

No outcome metrics extracted yet.

Abstract

Benthic microbial fuel cells (BMFC) are devices that remove organic matter (OM) and generate energy from sediments rich in organic nutrients. They are composed of electrodes with adequate different distances and floating air cathodes in an aqueous medium with saturated oxygen. In this study we proposed to design, build, analyze and evaluate a set of BMFCs with floating air cathodes to test the optimal distance between the electrodes, using sediment from the Bay of Campeche as a substrate. For the analysis of OM removal, COD tests, volatile solids (VS), E4/E6 study and FTIR analysis were performed. Power generation was evaluated through polarization curves, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). We achieved a current density and power density at 10 cm depth of 929.7 ± 9.5 mA/m² and 109.6 ± 7.5 mW/m² respectively, with 54% removal of OM from the sediment, obtaining formation of aliphatic structures. BMFCs are proposed as adequate systems for bioremediation and power generation. The system at 10 cm depth and 100 cm distance between sediment and the floating air cathode had a good performance and therefore the potential for possible scaling.

Key findings

  • BMFCs with floating air cathodes showed optimal performance at 10 cm depth and 100 cm distance between sediment and air cathode.
  • The system achieved 54% removal of organic matter from the sediment, with formation of aliphatic structures.
  • Power generation was evaluated through polarization curves, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).

Keywords

Microbial fuel cellBenthic zoneSedimentCathodeDielectric spectroscopyOrganic matter

Identifiers

DOI
10.3390/su10072446
Journal
Sustainability
Year
2018