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Effect of Wall Boundary Layer Thickness on Power Performance of a Recirculation Microbial Fuel Cell

Author

Listed:
  • Yan-Ming Chen

    (Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, No.1, Sec. 3, Zhongxiao E. Rd., 106 Taipei, Taiwan)

  • Chin-Tsan Wang

    (Department of Mechanical and Electro-Mechanical Engineering, National I-Lan University, No.1, Sec. 1, Shennong Rd., 26047 I Lan, Taiwan)

  • Yung-Chin Yang

    (Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, No.1, Sec. 3, Zhongxiao E. Rd., 106 Taipei, Taiwan)

Abstract

Hydrodynamic boundary layer is a significant phenomenon occurring in a flow through a bluff body, and this includes the flow motion and mass transfer. Thus, it could affect the biofilm formation and the mass transfer of substrates in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Therefore, understanding the role of hydrodynamic boundary layer thicknesses in MFCs is truly important. In this study, three hydrodynamic boundary layers of thickness 1.6, 4.1, and 5 cm were applied to the recirculation mode membrane-less MFC to investigate the electricity production performance. The results showed that the thin hydrodynamic boundary could enhance the voltage output of MFC due to the strong shear rate effect. Thus, a maximum voltage of 22 mV was obtained in the MFC with a hydrodynamic boundary layer thickness of 1.6 cm, and this voltage output obtained was 11 times higher than that of MFC with 5 cm hydrodynamic boundary layer thickness. Moreover, the charge transfer resistance of anode decreased with decreasing hydrodynamic boundary layer thickness. The charge transfer resistance of MFC with hydrodynamic boundary layer of thickness 1.6 cm was 39 Ω, which was 0.79 times lesser than that of MFC with 5 cm thickness. These observations would be useful for enhancing the performance of recirculation mode MFCs.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:4:p:1003-:d:142269
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
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    2. Tang, Raymond Chong Ong & Jang, Jer-Huan & Lan, Tzu-Hsuan & Wu, Jung-Chen & Yan, Wei-Mon & Sangeetha, Thangavel & Wang, Chin-Tsan & Ong, Hwai Chyuan & Ong, Zhi Chao, 2020. "Review on design factors of microbial fuel cells using Buckingham's Pi Theorem," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    3. Wei-Hsin Chen & Keat Teong Lee & Hwai Chyuan Ong, 2019. "Biofuel and Bioenergy Technology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-12, January.
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