Assessing the impact of design factors on the performance of two miniature microbial fuel cells

Every day, wastewater treatment requires large amounts of electricity. Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) can convert wastewater treatment plants from net power consumers into energy neutral/positive systems by generating electricity from wastewaters. We investigate here the design factors that have major...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Mateo, Sara, Mascia, Michele, Fernández Morales, Francisco Jesús, Rodrigo Rodrigo, Manuel Andrés, Di Lorenzo, Mirella
Formato: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2019
País:España
Recursos:Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha
Repositorio:RUIdeRA. Repositorio Institucional de la UCLM
OAI Identifier:oai:ruidera.uclm.es:10578/29427
Acesso em linha:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2018.11.193
http://hdl.handle.net/10578/29427
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palavra-chave:Miniature microbial fuel cell
Cascade of microbial fuel cells
Wastewater treatment
Bioelectricity
Descrição
Resumo:Every day, wastewater treatment requires large amounts of electricity. Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) can convert wastewater treatment plants from net power consumers into energy neutral/positive systems by generating electricity from wastewaters. We investigate here the design factors that have major impacts on the performance of two miniature MFCs, and, consequently, of the resulting stack of MFCs. A versatile mathematical model is provided, which simulates the complex MFC system by integrating fluid dynamic principles with mass transport phenomena and (bio)electrochemical reactions. The model is used to support an in-depth study of the two MFCs, which differ for electrode spacing, anodic volume and fluid pattern within the anodic chamber, and to associate any difference in performance to design factors. Finally, system scale-up is demonstrated by generating stacks of the two MFCs. Thanks to the versatility of the model developed, this study becomes a guide for the effective development of future miniature MFCs.