Strategies for optimizing the power output of microbial fuel cells: Transitioning from fundamental studies to practical implementation

Chen, Shouhui; Patil, Sunil A.; Brown, Robert K.; Schröder, Uwe

doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.10.015

Cited by 134 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 186 publications

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“…The currently developed electrobiological systems contain electrode systems based on various materials, for example, platinum vs. iron (II) phthalocyanine based electrodes (Harnisch et al, 2009), but carbon nanotubes and graphene are the most commonly used materials (Chen et al, 2019). Choice of materials, optimal configuration of electrodes and suitable plants can improve the perfomance of plant-microbial electrobiosystems (Nitisoravut et al, 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Carex hirta in electro-biotechnological systems on green roofs

Rusyn

Hamkalo

2019

Regul. Mech. Biosyst.

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Production of bioelectricity from substrates with growing plants and developing microorganisms is the newest technology of alternative energetics that has great perspectives. The efforts of scientists around the world are aimed at improving biotechnology: the development of effective electrode systems for the collection of plant-microbial bioelectricity, the search for new plants, suitable for technology, testing of new substrates for the development of plants. In this paper, we presented tests of new model electro-biosystems (EBS) consisting of graphite-zinc-steelical systems of electrodes with stainless steel elements placed in plastic containers with soil substrate and planted sedges Carex hirta. The experiment was conducted during the year on the roofs of a university building in the climatic conditions of the Western Ukrainian region to assess the functioning of the electro-biosystems in outdoor conditions. We analyzed the different types of electrode placement in containers: with the horizontal alocation of the electrodes under the root system, with the vertical placement cathodes and anodes in a container and with the increased contact area of the cathodes with the substrate and reinforced connecting of cathodes with each other. During the experiment, we monitored the bioelectric potential of the samples which were in an open circle and under load of an external resistor. To analyze short-term voltage and current, polarization measurements were performed by changing the external resistance from 10 Ω to 5 kΩ, and the current strength, current density and power density were calculated. The conducted experiments showed C. hirta can be successfully cultivated on green roofs in open soil in the climatic conditions of the Western Ukrainian region. The studied electro-biosystems operate round-the-year as the plants are frost-resistant. Metereological conditions, especially the temperature and precipitation intensity, affect the electro-performance of the electro-biosystems on the roofs. The maximum average weekly current of 21.36 mA was recorded in May at optimum temperatures and a favourable humidity level, with an average temperature of 11.4 °C and rainfall of 5.39 mm/day. The electrical performance of electro-biosystems decreases during the winter and dry periods without an organized irrigation system. During the winter period, electrode systems are damaged by adverse factors. The configuration of the electrode system EBS3 is less susceptible to breakdowns due to the destructive action of water during freezing in the winter and more effective in collecting bioelectricity. The research represented in the paper is one more step towards improving bioelectricity technology on green roofs.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Carex hirta in electro-biotechnological systems on green roofs

Rusyn

Hamkalo

2019

Regul. Mech. Biosyst.

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“…The smaller area of the electrodes and volume of the reactor may have influenced this result. An improvement in the Coulombic efficiency could be reached with optimization procedures [80,81]. But for the proof-of-concept a model organism, G. sulfurreducens was seen as the best electroactive bacteria [82], and acetate as a simple carbon source.…”

Section: Electric Current Generation During Quinone Reductionsecond Ementioning

confidence: 99%

“…This proves that electroactive bacteria in a MFC are able to promote the conversion of the redox pair 2,6-AQDS/2,6-AQDSH 2 , as a microbially-charged electrochemical fuel. Optimization procedures, new materials or physical designs reactors could help reduce the period of time for this oxidations reactions in MFCs [32,80,81].…”

Section: Electric Current Generation During Quinone Reductionsecond Ementioning

confidence: 99%

Microbially-charged electrochemical fuel for energy storage in a redox flow cell

Santos

Peixoto

Azevedo

et al. 2020

Journal of Power Sources

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“…The ability of these electroactive organisms is bringing great opportunities for MFC technology scale up and implementation into real world applications, such as wastewater treatment, and it has the potential to make the overall process energy efficient [ 4 ]. In order to reach this goal, the system needs to be optimised in terms of the power performance as well as scale, cost and robustness [ 5 ]. For this purpose, unglazed ceramic separators have more recently been successfully implemented into MFC reactors [ 7 , 8 ] scaled-up stack systems [ 9 ] for field trials and practical applications [ 10 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A new method for urine electrofiltration and long term power enhancement using surface modified anodes with activated carbon in ceramic microbial fuel cells

Gajda

You

Santoro

et al. 2020

Electrochimica Acta

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This work is presenting for the first time the use of inexpensive and efficient anode material for boosting power production, as well as improving electrofiltration of human urine in tubular microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The MFCs were constructed using unglazed ceramic clay functioning as the membrane and chassis. The study is looking into effective anodic surface modification by applying activated carbon micro-nanostructure onto carbon fibres that allows electrode packing without excessive enlargement of the electrode. The surface treatment of the carbon veil matrix resulted in 3.7 mW (52.9 W m −3 and 1626 mW m −2 ) of power generated and almost a 10-fold increase in the anodic current due to the doping as well as long-term stability in one year of continuous operation. The higher power output resulted in the synthesis of clear catholyte, thereby i) avoiding cathode fouling and contributing to the active splitting of both pH and ions and ii) transforming urine into a purified catholyte - 30% salt reduction - by electroosmotic drag, whilst generating - rather than consuming – electricity, and in a way demonstrating electrofiltration. For the purpose of future technology implementation , the importance of simultaneous increase in power generation, long-term stability over 1 year and efficient urine cleaning by using low-cost materials, is very promising and helps the technology enter the wider market.

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Strategies for optimizing the power output of microbial fuel cells: Transitioning from fundamental studies to practical implementation

Cited by 134 publications

References 186 publications

Use of Carex hirta in electro-biotechnological systems on green roofs

Use of Carex hirta in electro-biotechnological systems on green roofs

Microbially-charged electrochemical fuel for energy storage in a redox flow cell

A new method for urine electrofiltration and long term power enhancement using surface modified anodes with activated carbon in ceramic microbial fuel cells

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