Performance evaluation of microbial fuel cells employing ceramic separator of different surface area modified with mineral cation exchanger

Abstract

Microbial fuel cell (MFC), one of the emerging topics of research, suffers from two chief limitations, low power generation and high cost of reactor materials. These problems limit its possibility of field scale implementation and commercialization. Hence, an attempt has been made in this study to highlight the utilization of lost cost ceramic material modified with mineral cation exchanger with various concentrations (10-50%) as separator along with studying the role of thickness and surface area in improving the overall performance of an MFC. The performance of the membranes with different thickness and kaolin concentrations was studied based on their proton exchange, ion transfer and oxygen diffusion capabilities. While, proton transfer coefficient was found to be highest in membrane of thickness 4 mm containing 30% kaolin, oxygen transfer coefficient was found to be lowest in the membrane of thickness 6 mm containing 50% kaolin. Thus, MFCs of optimised parameters with concentric anode chamber made with ceramic material were used to study the effect of membrane surface area on their performances. MFC with the highest membrane surface area showed highest power density, highest organics removal efficiency and least internal resistance. Thus, it was concluded from the results that high membrane surface area increases the performance efficiency of the MFCs by maintaining proper proton concentration on both side of the membranes. The results thus highlight the importance of a membrane in an MFC and how the presence of a cation exchanger can enhance the electricity generation.

Enhancement in Cathodic Redox Reactions of Single-Chambered Microbial Fuel Cells with Castor Oil-Emitted Powder as Cathode Material

“…The reason for this could be an increase in power generated. Similar results were revealed in the literature [ 27 , 28 , 29 ]. The current density increase could be the thick layer of bacteria on biofilm, which tries to overcome the surface of the anode by decreasing the rate of wastewater consumption by the biofilm [ 30 ].…”

A Critical Review on the Advancement of the Development of Low-Cost Membranes to Be Utilized in Microbial Fuel Cells

“…A mixed inoculum in a ceramic anaerobic treatment plant had the greatest COD removal rate of 96.6%. This arrangement is suitable for anaerobic treatment operations since it produced the maximum current density of 1535.0 ± 29 mW/m 2 when carbon brush electrodes and a dual chamber were used [93]. The table presents a unique ceramic membrane combination that utilizes a dual-chamber layout of clay materials and a SUPER-MIX inoculum.…”