1
|
Heinrichmeier J, Littfinski T, Vasyukova E, Steuernagel L, Wichern M. On-site performance evaluation of a 1,000-litre microbial fuel cell system using submergible multi-electrode modules with air-cathodes for sustainable municipal wastewater treatment and electricity generation. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2023; 87:1969-1981. [PMID: 37119167 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2023.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The reliability of a microbial fuel cell (MFC) system was tested on an industrial scale by operating a 1,000-L single-chamber system under real conditions at a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) over a 6-month period. Submergible multi-electrode modules with large-scale grid-segmented gas diffusion cathodes with activated carbon as a catalyst were used. Maximum power densities normalised to the cathode area were above 100 mW m-2Cat. Fluctuating chemical and physical wastewater characteristics of the influent had reversible effects on MFC performance in terms of energetic efficiency. Thereby, the composition of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) fractions changes only insignificantly and the concentration of readily biodegradable (SS) required for the enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) process or upstream denitrification was reduced by 41 ± 10 mg L-1 (37 ± 2% of inflow SS).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Heinrichmeier
- WTE Wassertechnik GmbH, Ruhrallee 185, 45136 Essen, Germany E-mail:
| | - Tobias Littfinski
- WTE Wassertechnik GmbH, Ruhrallee 185, 45136 Essen, Germany E-mail: ; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Urban Water Management and Environmental Engineering, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | | | - Leon Steuernagel
- WTE Wassertechnik GmbH, Ruhrallee 185, 45136 Essen, Germany E-mail:
| | - Marc Wichern
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Urban Water Management and Environmental Engineering, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Recalde C, López D, Aguay D, García VJ. Environmental Sensing in High-Altitude Mountain Ecosystems Powered by Sedimentary Microbial Fuel Cells. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:2101. [PMID: 36850696 PMCID: PMC9963341 DOI: 10.3390/s23042101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The increasing need for fresh water in a climate change scenario requires remote monitoring of water bodies in high-altitude mountain areas. This study aimed to explore the feasibility of SMFC operation in the presence of low dissolved oxygen concentrations for remote, on-site monitoring of physical environmental parameters in high-altitude mountainous areas. The implemented power management system (PMS) uses a reference SMFC (SMFCRef) to implement a quasi-maximum power point tracking (quasi-MPPT) algorithm to harvest energy stably. As a result, while transmitting in a point-to-point wireless sensor network topology, the system achieves an overall efficiency of 59.6%. Furthermore, the control mechanisms prevent energy waste and maintain a stable voltage despite the microbial fuel cell (MFC)'s high impedance, low time response, and low energy production. Moreover, our system enables a fundamental understanding of environmental systems and their resilience of adaptation strategies by being a low-cost, ecological, and environmentally friendly alternative to power-distributed and dynamic environmental sensing networks in high-altitude mountain ecosystems with anoxic environmental conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Celso Recalde
- Facultad de Ciencias, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Riobamba EC060155, Ecuador
| | - Denys López
- Facultad de Ciencias, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Riobamba EC060155, Ecuador
| | - Diana Aguay
- Facultad de Ciencias, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Riobamba EC060155, Ecuador
| | - Víctor J. García
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Carrera de Ingeniería Civil, Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo, Riobamba EC060108, Ecuador
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dhillon SK, Chaturvedi A, Gupta D, Nagaiah TC, Kundu PP. Copper nanoparticles embedded in polyaniline derived nitrogen-doped carbon as electrocatalyst for bio-energy generation in microbial fuel cells. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:80787-80804. [PMID: 35729378 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21437-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (SC-MFCs) have emerged as green energy devices to resolve the growing energy and environmental crisis. However, the technology's application depends on the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics. Among the electrocatalysts explored, transition metal-nitrogen-carbon composites exhibit satisfactory ORR activity. Herein, we investigate the performance of copper-nitrogen-carbon (Cu/NC) electrocatalysts for ORR, highlighting the effect of temperature, role of nitrogen functionalities, and Cu-Nx sites in catalyst performance. Cu/NC-700 demonstrated satisfactory ORR activity with an onset potential of 0.7 V (vs. RHE) and a limiting current density of 3.4 mA cm-2. Cu/NC-700 modified MFC exhibited a maximum power density of 489.2 mW m-2, higher than NC-700 (107.3 mW m-2). These observations could result from synergistic interaction between copper and nitrogen atoms, high density of Cu-Nx sites, and high pyridinic-N content. Moreover, the catalyst exhibited superior stability, implying its use in long-term operations. The electrocatalytic performance of the catalyst suggests that copper-doped carbon catalysts could be potential metal-nitrogen-carbon material for scaled-up MFC applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simran Kaur Dhillon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, 247667, India
| | - Amit Chaturvedi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, 247667, India
| | - Divyani Gupta
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar, 140001, India
| | - Tharamani C Nagaiah
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar, 140001, India
| | - Patit Paban Kundu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, 247667, India.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Malekmohammadi S, Ahmad Mirbagheri S. A review of the operating parameters on the microbial fuel cell for wastewater treatment and electricity generation. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2021; 84:1309-1323. [PMID: 34559068 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2021.333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Environmental and economic considerations suggest a more efficient and comprehensive use of biomass for bioenergy production. One of the most attractive technologies is the microbial fuel cell using the catabolic activity of microorganisms to generate electricity from organic matter. The microbial fuel cell (MFC) has operational benefits and higher performance than current technologies for producing energy from organic materials because it converts electricity from the substrate directly (at ambient temperature). However, MFCs are still not suitable for high energy demand due to practical limitations. The overall performance of an MFC depends on the electrode material, the reactor design, the operating parameters, substrates, and microorganisms. Furthermore, the optimization of the parameters will lead to the commercial development of this technology in the near future. The simultaneous effect of the parameters on each other (intensifier or attenuator) has also been investigated. The investigated parameters in this study include temperature, pH, flow rate and hydraulic retention time, mode, external resistance, and initial concentration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sima Malekmohammadi
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran E-mail:
| | - Seyed Ahmad Mirbagheri
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jatoi AS, Akhter F, Mazari SA, Sabzoi N, Aziz S, Soomro SA, Mubarak NM, Baloch H, Memon AQ, Ahmed S. Advanced microbial fuel cell for waste water treatment-a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:5005-5019. [PMID: 33241504 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-11691-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Petroleum, coal, and natural gas reservoir were depleting continuously due to an increase in industrialization, which enforced study to identify alternative sources. The next option is the renewable resources which are most important for energy purpose coupled with environmental problem reduction. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have become a promising approach to generate cleaner and more sustainable electrical energy. The involvement of various disciplines had been contributing to enhancing the performance of the MFCs. This review covers the performance of MFC along with different wastewater as a substrate in terms of treatment efficiencies as well as for energy generation. Apart from this, effect of various parameters and use of different nanomaterials for performance of MFC were also studied. From the current study, it proves that the use of microbial fuel cell along with the use of nanomaterials could be the waste and energy-related problem-solving approach. MFC could be better in performances based on optimized process parameters for handling any wastewater from industrial process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Sattar Jatoi
- Chemical Engineering Department, Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan.
| | - Faheem Akhter
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Quaid-E-Awam University of Engineering, Science & Technology, Nawabshah, Pakistan
| | - Shaukat Ali Mazari
- Chemical Engineering Department, Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan.
| | | | - Shaheen Aziz
- Chemical Engineering Department, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, Pakistan
| | - Suhail Ahmed Soomro
- Chemical Engineering Department, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, Pakistan
| | - Nabisab Mujawar Mubarak
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University, 98009, Miri Sarawak, Malaysia.
| | - Humair Baloch
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, 3000, Australia
| | - Abdul Qayoom Memon
- Chemical Engineering Department, Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Shoaib Ahmed
- Chemical Engineering Department, Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Koók L, Nemestóthy N, Bélafi-Bakó K, Bakonyi P. The influential role of external electrical load in microbial fuel cells and related improvement strategies: A review. Bioelectrochemistry 2021; 140:107749. [PMID: 33549971 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2021.107749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The scope of the currentreviewis to discuss and evaluate the role of the external electrical load/resistor (EEL) on the overall behavior and functional properties of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). In this work, a comprehensive analysis is made by considering various levels of MFC architecture, such as electric and energy harvesting efficiency, anode electrode potential shifts, electro-active biofilm formation, cell metabolism and extracellular electron transfer mechanisms, as a function of the EEL and its control strategies. It is outlined that taking the regulation of EEL into account at MFC optimization is highly beneficial, and in order to support this step, in this review, a variety of guidelines are collected and analyzed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- László Koók
- Research Group on Bioengineering, Membrane Technology and Energetics, University of Pannonia, Egyetem ut 10, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Nándor Nemestóthy
- Research Group on Bioengineering, Membrane Technology and Energetics, University of Pannonia, Egyetem ut 10, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Katalin Bélafi-Bakó
- Research Group on Bioengineering, Membrane Technology and Energetics, University of Pannonia, Egyetem ut 10, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Péter Bakonyi
- Research Group on Bioengineering, Membrane Technology and Energetics, University of Pannonia, Egyetem ut 10, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Koók L, Nemestóthy N, Bélafi-Bakó K, Bakonyi P. Investigating the specific role of external load on the performance versus stability trade-off in microbial fuel cells. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2020; 309:123313. [PMID: 32289659 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.123313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The performance and behavior of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are influenced by among others the external load (Rext). In this study, the anode-surface biofilm formation in MFCs operated under different Rext selection/tracking-strategies was assessed. MFCs were characterized by electrochemical (voltage/current generation, polarization tests, EIS), molecular biological (microbial consortium analysis) and bioinformatics (principal component analysis) tools. The results indicated that the MFC with dynamic Rext adjustment (as a function of the actual MFC internal resistance) achieved notably higher performance but relatively lower operational stability, mainly due to the acidification of the biofilm. The opposite (lower performance, increased stability) could be observed with the static (low or high) Rext application (or OCV) strategies, where adaptive microbial processes were assumed. These possible adaptation phenomena were outlined by a theoretical framework and the significant impact of Rext on the anode colonization process and energy recovery with MFCs was concluded.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- László Koók
- Research Institute on Bioengineering, Membrane Technology and Energetics, University of Pannonia, Egyetem u. 10, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Nándor Nemestóthy
- Research Institute on Bioengineering, Membrane Technology and Energetics, University of Pannonia, Egyetem u. 10, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Katalin Bélafi-Bakó
- Research Institute on Bioengineering, Membrane Technology and Energetics, University of Pannonia, Egyetem u. 10, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary.
| | - Péter Bakonyi
- Research Institute on Bioengineering, Membrane Technology and Energetics, University of Pannonia, Egyetem u. 10, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Nguyen CL, Tartakovsky B, Woodward L. Harvesting Energy from Multiple Microbial Fuel Cells with a High-Conversion Efficiency Power Management System. ACS OMEGA 2019; 4:18978-18986. [PMID: 31763519 PMCID: PMC6868588 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b01854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Direct electricity production from waste biomass in a microbial fuel cell (MFC) offers the advantage of producing renewable electricity at a high Coulombic efficiency. However, low MFC voltage (below 0.5 V) necessitates the simultaneous operation of multiple MFCs controlled by a power management system (PMS) adapted for operating bioelectrochemical systems with complex nonlinear dynamics. This work describes a novel PMS designed for efficient energy harvesting from multiple MFCs. The PMS includes a switched-capacitor-based converter, which ensures operation of each MFC at its maximum power point (MPP) by regulating the output voltage around half of its open-circuit voltage. The open-circuit voltage of each MFC is estimated online regardless of MFC internal parameter knowledge. The switched-capacitor-based converter is followed by an upconverter, which increases the output voltage to a required level. Advantages of the proposed PMS include online MPP tracking for each MFC and high (up to 85%) power conversion efficiency. Also, the PMS prevents voltage reversal by disconnecting an MFC from the circuit whenever its voltage drops below a predefined threshold. The effectiveness of the proposed PMS is verified through simulations and experimental runs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cong-Long Nguyen
- Department
of Electrical Engineering, École
de technologie supérieure, 1100 Notre-Dame West, Montreal, Quebec H3C 1K3, Canada
| | - Boris Tartakovsky
- National
Research Council of Canada, 6100 Royalmount Ave, Montreal, Quebec H4P 2R2 Canada
| | - Lyne Woodward
- Department
of Electrical Engineering, École
de technologie supérieure, 1100 Notre-Dame West, Montreal, Quebec H3C 1K3, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ortiz-Martínez V, Touati K, Salar-García M, Hernández-Fernández F, de los Ríos A. Mixed transition metal-manganese oxides as catalysts in MFCs for bioenergy generation from industrial wastewater. Biochem Eng J 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2019.107310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
10
|
Bayrakdar A, Tilahun E, Çalli B. Simultaneous nitrate and sulfide removal using a bio-electrochemical system. Bioelectrochemistry 2019; 129:228-234. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2019.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
11
|
Real-Time Monitoring of Micro-Electricity Generation Through the Voltage Across a Storage Capacitor Charged by a Simple Microbial Fuel Cell Reactor with Fast Fourier Transform. ENERGIES 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/en12132610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The pattern of micro-electricity production of simple two-chamber microbial fuel cells (MFC) was monitored in this study. Piggery wastewater and anaerobic sludge served as fuel and inocula for the MFC, respectively. The output power, including voltage and current generation, of triplicate MFCs was measured using an on-line monitoring system. The maximum voltage obtained among the triplicates was 0.663 V. We also found that removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in the piggery wastewater was 94.99 and 98.63%, respectively. Moreover, analytical results of Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) demonstrated that the output current comprised alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) components, ranging from mA to μA.
Collapse
|
12
|
Adekunle A, Raghavan V, Tartakovsky B. A comparison of microbial fuel cell and microbial electrolysis cell biosensors for real-time environmental monitoring. Bioelectrochemistry 2019; 126:105-112. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2018.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
|
13
|
Real-Time Performance Optimization and Diagnostics during Long-Term Operation of a Solid Anolyte Microbial Fuel Cell Biobattery. BATTERIES-BASEL 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/batteries5010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
This study describes a novel approach for real-time energy harvesting and performance diagnostics of a solid anolyte microbial fuel cell (SA-MFC) representing a prototype smart biobattery. The biobattery power output was maximized in real time by combining intermittent power generation with a Perturbation-and-Observation algorithm for maximum power point tracking. The proposed approach was validated by operating the biobattery under a broad range of environmental conditions affecting power production, such as temperature (4–25 °C), NaCl concentration (up to 2 g L−1), and carbon source concentration. Real-time biobattery performance diagnostics was achieved by estimating key internal parameters (resistance, capacitance, open circuit voltage) using an equivalent electrical circuit model. The real time optimization approach ensured maximum power production during 388 days of biobattery operation under varying environmental conditions, thus confirming the feasibility of biobattery application for powering small electronic devices in field applications.
Collapse
|
14
|
Woodward L, Tartakovsky B. A simple power management circuit for microbial fuel cell operation with intermittent electrical load connection. CAN J CHEM ENG 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/cjce.23256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lyne Woodward
- Département de Génie ÉlectriqueÉcole de technologie supérieure1100 Notre‐Dame OuestMontréalQCCanadaH3C 1K3
| | - Boris Tartakovsky
- National Research Council of Canada6100 Royalmount AveMontréalQCCanadaH4P 2R2
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Hussain SA, Perrier M, Tartakovsky B. Long-term performance of a microbial electrolysis cell operated with periodic disconnection of power supply. RSC Adv 2018; 8:16842-16849. [PMID: 35540527 PMCID: PMC9080321 DOI: 10.1039/c8ra01863d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This study describes a new approach for achieving stable long-term performance and maximizing removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in a Microbial Electrolysis Cell (MEC) by periodic disconnection of the MEC power supply.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S. A. Hussain
- Département de Génie Chimique
- École Polytechnique de Montréal
- Canada H3C 3A7b
| | - M. Perrier
- Département de Génie Chimique
- École Polytechnique de Montréal
- Canada H3C 3A7b
| | - B. Tartakovsky
- Département de Génie Chimique
- École Polytechnique de Montréal
- Canada H3C 3A7b
- National Research Council of Canada
- Canada H4P 2R2
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Recio-Garrido D, Adekunle A, Perrier M, Raghavan V, Tartakovsky B. Wastewater Treatment and Online Chemical Oxygen Demand Estimation in a Cascade of Microbial Fuel Cells. Ind Eng Chem Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.7b02586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Didac Recio-Garrido
- Département
de Génie Chimique, École Polytechnique Montréal, C.P.6079
Succ., Centre-Ville Montréal, Quebec H3C 3A7, Canada
- National Research Council of Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montréal, Quebec H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Ademola Adekunle
- Department
of Bioresource Engineering, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3 V9, Canada
- National Research Council of Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montréal, Quebec H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Michel Perrier
- Département
de Génie Chimique, École Polytechnique Montréal, C.P.6079
Succ., Centre-Ville Montréal, Quebec H3C 3A7, Canada
| | - Vijaya Raghavan
- Department
of Bioresource Engineering, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3 V9, Canada
| | - Boris Tartakovsky
- National Research Council of Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montréal, Quebec H4P 2R2, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Yang K, He Y, Ma Z. Multi-objective steady-state optimization of two-chamber microbial fuel cells. Chin J Chem Eng 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cjche.2017.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
18
|
Saratale GD, Saratale RG, Shahid MK, Zhen G, Kumar G, Shin HS, Choi YG, Kim SH. A comprehensive overview on electro-active biofilms, role of exo-electrogens and their microbial niches in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 178:534-547. [PMID: 28351012 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.03.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Revised: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are biocatalyzed systems which can drive electrical energy by directly converting chemical energy using microbial biocatalyst and are considered as one of the important propitious technologies for sustainable energy production. Much research on MFCs experiments is under way with great potential to become an alternative to produce clean energy from renewable waste. MFCs have been one of the most promising technologies for generating clean energy industry in the future. This article summarizes the important findings in electro-active biofilm formation and the role of exo-electrogens in electron transfer in MFCs. This study provides and brings special attention on the effects of various operating and biological parameters on the biofilm formation in MFCs. In addition, it also highlights the significance of different molecular techniques used in the microbial community analysis of electro-active biofilm. It reviews the challenges as well as the emerging opportunities required to develop MFCs at commercial level, electro-active biofilms and to understand potential application of microbiological niches are also depicted. Thus, this review is believed to widen the efforts towards the development of electro-active biofilm and will provide the research directions to overcome energy and environmental challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ganesh Dattatraya Saratale
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Dongguk University-Seoul, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Rijuta Ganesh Saratale
- Research Institute of Biotechnology and Medical Converged Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, 10326, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Guangyin Zhen
- Shanghai Key Lab for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Dongchuan Rd. 500, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Gopalakrishnan Kumar
- Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and Environment Research Group, Faculty of Environment and Labour Safety, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
| | - Han-Seung Shin
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Dongguk University-Seoul, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Gyun Choi
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Daegu university, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Hyoun Kim
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Daegu university, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Motoyama A, Ichihashi O, Hirooka K. Measurement of pH distribution near the air-cathode of a single-chamber microbial fuel cell using location sensor-equipped microelectrodes. Electrochem commun 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.elecom.2016.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
|
20
|
Hussain A, Manuel M, Tartakovsky B. A comparison of simultaneous organic carbon and nitrogen removal in microbial fuel cells and microbial electrolysis cells. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2016; 173:23-33. [PMID: 26950500 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Revised: 02/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
This study demonstrates simultaneous carbon and nitrogen removal in laboratory-scale continuous flow microbial fuel cell (MFC) and microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) and provides side-by side comparison of these bioelectrochemical systems. The maximum organic carbon removal rates in MFC and MEC tests were similar at 5.1 g L(-1) d(-1) and 4.16 g L(-1) d(-1), respectively, with a near 100% carbon removal efficiency at an organic load of 3.3 g L(-1) d(-1). An ammonium removal efficiency of 30-55% with near-zero nitrite and nitrate concentrations was observed in the MFC operated at an optimal external resistance, while open-circuit MFC operation resulted in a reduced carbon and ammonium removal of 53% and 21%, respectively. In the MEC ammonium removal was limited to 7-12% under anaerobic conditions, while micro-aerobic conditions increased the removal efficiency to 31%. Also, at zero applied voltage both carbon and ammonium removal efficiencies were reduced to 42% and 4%, respectively. Based on the observed performance under different operating conditions, it was concluded that simultaneous carbon and nitrogen removal was facilitated by concurrent anaerobic and aerobic biotransformation pathways at the anode and cathode, which balanced bioelectrochemical nitrification and denitrification reactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abid Hussain
- National Research Council of Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Michelle Manuel
- National Research Council of Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Boris Tartakovsky
- National Research Council of Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Combined bioelectrochemical–electrical model of a microbial fuel cell. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2015; 39:267-76. [DOI: 10.1007/s00449-015-1510-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
|
22
|
Capodaglio AG, Molognoni D, Puig S, Balaguer MD, Colprim J. Role of Operating Conditions on Energetic Pathways in a Microbial Fuel Cell. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2015.07.808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
23
|
Wang H, Park JD, Ren ZJ. Practical energy harvesting for microbial fuel cells: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:3267-77. [PMID: 25670167 DOI: 10.1021/es5047765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology offers sustainable solutions for distributed power systems and energy positive wastewater treatment, but the generation of practically usable power from MFCs remains a major challenge for system scale up and application. Commonly used external resistors will not harvest any usable energy, so energy-harvesting circuits are needed for real world applications. This review summarizes, explains, and discusses the different energy harvesting methods, components, and systems that can extract and condition the MFC energy for direct utilization. This study aims to assist environmental scientists and engineers to gain fundamental understandings of these electronic systems and algorithms, and it also offers research directions and insights on how to overcome the barriers, so the technology can be further advanced and applied in larger scale.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heming Wang
- †Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Jae-Do Park
- ‡Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado 80204, United States
| | - Zhiyong Jason Ren
- †Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Erbay C, Carreon-Bautista S, Sanchez-Sinencio E, Han A. High performance monolithic power management system with dynamic maximum power point tracking for microbial fuel cells. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:13992-9. [PMID: 25365216 DOI: 10.1021/es501426j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Microbial fuel cell (MFC) that can directly generate electricity from organic waste or biomass is a promising renewable and clean technology. However, low power and low voltage output of MFCs typically do not allow directly operating most electrical applications, whether it is supplementing electricity to wastewater treatment plants or for powering autonomous wireless sensor networks. Power management systems (PMSs) can overcome this limitation by boosting the MFC output voltage and managing the power for maximum efficiency. We present a monolithic low-power-consuming PMS integrated circuit (IC) chip capable of dynamic maximum power point tracking (MPPT) to maximize the extracted power from MFCs, regardless of the power and voltage fluctuations from MFCs over time. The proposed PMS continuously detects the maximum power point (MPP) of the MFC and matches the load impedance of the PMS for maximum efficiency. The system also operates autonomously by directly drawing power from the MFC itself without any external power. The overall system efficiency, defined as the ratio between input energy from the MFC and output energy stored into the supercapacitor of the PMS, was 30%. As a demonstration, the PMS connected to a 240 mL two-chamber MFC (generating 0.4 V and 512 μW at MPP) successfully powered a wireless temperature sensor that requires a voltage of 2.5 V and consumes power of 85 mW each time it transmit the sensor data, and successfully transmitted a sensor reading every 7.5 min. The PMS also efficiently managed the power output of a lower-power producing MFC, demonstrating that the PMS works efficiently at various MFC power output level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Celal Erbay
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University , College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Walter XA, Greenman J, Ieropoulos IA. Intermittent load implementation in microbial fuel cells improves power performance. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2014; 172:365-372. [PMID: 25280044 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.09.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2014] [Revised: 09/05/2014] [Accepted: 09/06/2014] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
This study reports on the response of small-scale MFCs to intermittent loading, in terms of power output over time. The aim was to understand the evolution with time of power output under different duty cycles, in conditions close to practical implementation. Inexpensive ceramic membranes were compared to cation exchange membranes, under continuous flow and with a pre-digester connected. Results show that at the minute-scale, all the duty cycles investigated, produced 78% higher power bursts from the MFCs (500μW) than when under continuous loading (280μW). These results were recorded from MFCs employing ceramic membranes, whereas the difference in performance for MFCs employing commercially available cation-exchange-membranes was insignificant. When normalising to daily energy production, only specific duty cycles produced more power than continuous loading. Furthermore, the introduction of a pre-digester increased the MFC power outputs 10-fold, thus confirming that separating fermentation from electro-active respiration, significantly enhances the system performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- X A Walter
- Bristol Robotics Laboratory, Universities of Bristol and of the West of England, T-building, Frenchay Campus, BS16 1QY, United Kingdom; Microbiology Research Laboratory, School of Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, Frenchay Campus, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, United Kingdom
| | - J Greenman
- Microbiology Research Laboratory, School of Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, Frenchay Campus, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, United Kingdom
| | - I A Ieropoulos
- Bristol Robotics Laboratory, Universities of Bristol and of the West of England, T-building, Frenchay Campus, BS16 1QY, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Effects of External Resistance on Microbial Fuel Cell’s Performance. THE HANDBOOK OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/698_2014_290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
|
27
|
Coronado J, Perrier M, Tartakovsky B. Pulse-width modulated external resistance increases the microbial fuel cell power output. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2013; 147:65-70. [PMID: 23989037 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2013.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Revised: 07/31/2013] [Accepted: 08/02/2013] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
This study describes MFC operation with a pulse-width modulated connection of the external resistor (R-PWM mode) at low and high frequencies. Analysis of the output voltage profiles acquired during R-PWM tests showed the presence of slow and fast dynamic components, which can be described by a simple equivalent circuit model suitable for process control applications. At operating frequencies above 100 Hz a noticeable improvement in MFC performance was observed with the power output increase of 22-43% as compared to MFC operation with a constant external resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Coronado
- Departement de Génie Chimique, École Polytechnique Montréal, C.P.6079 Succ., Centre-Ville Montréal, QC H3C 3A7, Canada
| | - M Perrier
- Departement de Génie Chimique, École Polytechnique Montréal, C.P.6079 Succ., Centre-Ville Montréal, QC H3C 3A7, Canada
| | - B Tartakovsky
- National Research Council of Canada, 6100 Royalmount Ave., Montréal, QC H4P 2R2, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
The performance of a thermophilic microbial fuel cell fed with synthesis gas. Enzyme Microb Technol 2012; 51:163-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2012.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2012] [Revised: 05/18/2012] [Accepted: 05/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
29
|
Wang H, Park JD, Ren Z. Active energy harvesting from microbial fuel cells at the maximum power point without using resistors. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2012; 46:5247-5252. [PMID: 22486712 DOI: 10.1021/es300313d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology offers a sustainable approach to harvest electricity from biodegradable materials. Energy production from MFCs has been demonstrated using external resistors or charge pumps, but such methods can only dissipate energy through heat or receive electrons passively from the MFC without any controllability. This study developed a new approach and system that can actively extract energy from MFC reactors at any operating point without using any resistors, especially at the peak power point to maximize energy production. Results show that power harvesting from a recirculating-flow MFC can be well maintained by the maximum power point circuit (MPPC) at its peak power point, while a charge pump was not able to change operating point due to current limitation. Within 18-h test, the energy gained from the MPPC was 76.8 J, 76 times higher than the charge pump (1.0 J) that was commonly used in MFC studies. Both conditions resulted in similar organic removal, but the Coulombic efficiency obtained from the MPPC was 21 times higher than that of the charge pump. Different numbers of capacitors could be used in the MPPC for various energy storage requirements and power supply, and the energy conversion efficiency of the MPPC was further characterized to identify key factors for system improvement. This active energy harvesting approach provides a new perspective for energy harvesting that can maximize MFC energy generation and system controllability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heming Wang
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado 80004, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Grondin F, Perrier M, Tartakovsky B. MICROBIAL FUEL CELL OPERATION WITH PERIODIC CONNECTION OF THE EXTERNAL RESISTANCE. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.3182/20120710-4-sg-2026.00163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
31
|
Pinto RP, Srinivasan B, Guiot SR, Tartakovsky B. The effect of real-time external resistance optimization on microbial fuel cell performance. WATER RESEARCH 2011; 45:1571-8. [PMID: 21167550 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2010.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2010] [Revised: 11/21/2010] [Accepted: 11/22/2010] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
This work evaluates the impact of the external resistance (electrical load) on the long-term performance of a microbial fuel cell (MFC) and demonstrates the real-time optimization of the external resistance. For this purpose, acetate-fed MFCs were operated at external resistances, which were above, below, or equal to the internal resistance of a corresponding MFC. A perturbation/observation algorithm was used for the real-time optimal selection of the external resistance. MFC operation at the optimal external resistance resulted in increased power output, improved Coulombic efficiency, and low methane production. Furthermore, the efficiency of the perturbation/observation algorithm for maximizing long-term MFC performance was confirmed by operating an MFC fed with synthetic wastewater for over 40 days. In this test an average Coulombic efficiency of 29% was achieved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R P Pinto
- Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Council, 6100 Royalmount Ave., Montréal, Que., Canada
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Pinto R, Srinivasan B, Tartakovsky B. A UNIFIED MODEL FOR ELECTRICITY AND HYDROGEN PRODUCTION IN MICROBIAL ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.3182/20110828-6-it-1002.01636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
33
|
The influence of operational conditions on the performance of a microbial fuel cell seeded with mesophilic anaerobic sludge. Biochem Eng J 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2010.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|