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Assessment of recirculation batch mode operation in bufferless Bio-cathode microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs)

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  • Wang, Chin-Tsan
  • Huang, Yan-Sian
  • Sangeetha, Thangavel
  • Yan, Wei-Mon

Abstract

Biocathode microbial fuel cells are cost-effective and environmentally sustainable bio-electrochemical devices. However, the usage of buffer solution will significantly reduce the feasibility of the MFCs (Microbial Fuel Cells) for practical applications in the future. Therefore, in this study the function of PBS (Phosphate Buffer Solution) was substituted by application of recirculation flow mode to enhance the proton transfer. An innovative and novel endeavor of inserting a honey comb structure into an MFC for uniform influent flow was also performed. pH and power performance were investigated in aerobic biocathode MFCs at recirculation flow rates of 0 ml/min, 4 ml/min, 40 ml/min, and 240 ml/min. The results showed that higher recirculation flow rates maintained a steady pH after 1 h of MFC operation and efficiently reduced the time to achieve the favorable pH environment (7.0–7.55) for the growth of electrochemically active bacteria (EAB). Furthermore, the highest power density of 5.71 mW/m2 and lowest charge transfer resistance of 267.7 Ω were obtained at the flow rate of 40 ml/min. But, extremely high flow rate of 240 ml/min was found to be detrimental to the biocathode MFC and reduced the power density and charge transfer resistance. Therefore, these findings would provide useful and progressive insights for pilot and industrial scale studies with bufferless biocathode MFCs in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Chin-Tsan & Huang, Yan-Sian & Sangeetha, Thangavel & Yan, Wei-Mon, 2018. "Assessment of recirculation batch mode operation in bufferless Bio-cathode microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs)," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 120-126.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:209:y:2018:i:c:p:120-126
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.10.074
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Trapero, Juan R. & Horcajada, Laura & Linares, Jose J. & Lobato, Justo, 2017. "Is microbial fuel cell technology ready? An economic answer towards industrial commercialization," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P1), pages 698-707.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yan-Ming Chen & Chin-Tsan Wang & Yung-Chin Yang, 2018. "Effect of Wall Boundary Layer Thickness on Power Performance of a Recirculation Microbial Fuel Cell," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-11, April.
    2. Yang, Wei & Li, Jun & Fu, Qian & Zhang, Liang & Wei, Zidong & Liao, Qiang & Zhu, Xun, 2021. "Minimizing mass transfer losses in microbial fuel cells: Theories, progresses and prospectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 136(C).
    3. Sangeetha, Thangavel & Li, I-Ting & Lan, Tzu-Hsuan & Wang, Chin-Tsan & Yan, Wei-Mon, 2021. "A fluid dynamics perspective on the flow dependent performance of honey comb microbial fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 214(C).
    4. Thangavel Sangeetha & Po-Tuan Chen & Wu-Fu Cheng & Wei-Mon Yan & K. David Huang, 2019. "Optimization of the Electrolyte Parameters and Components in Zinc Particle Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-13, March.
    5. Wood, Thomas K. & Gurgan, Ilke & Howley, Ethan T. & Riedel-Kruse, Ingmar H., 2023. "Converting methane into electricity and higher-value chemicals at scale via anaerobic microbial fuel cells," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).

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