Microbial Fuel Cell

Institute of Engineering & Technology

Microbial fuel cell is a bio-electrochemical system that derives electricity by mimicking bacterial interactions found in nature.

Microorganisms catabolise compounds such as glucose, acetate or wastewater.

Unlike conventional fuel cells, MFCs have certain advantages like high energy-conversion efficiency and mild reaction conditions

What is Microbial Fuel Cell?

Metabolizing reactions in anode chamber are run anaerobic.An oxidation-reduction mediator diverts electrons from the transport chain.

Microbial Fuel Cell

A Muralidharan et al (2012): analysed the impact of salt bridge over the production of electricity.

A Muralidharan et al (2011): focussed on the study involving various concentrations of salt in salt bridge of a mediator-less MFC.

Jincheng Wei (2011): study on recent advances in electrode material.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Pranab K. Barua et al (2011): established that voltage generated in a microbial fuel cell decreases linearly with time.

Evans M.N. Chirwa et al: ◦a two chamber MFC system was evaluated.◦ A comparative performance analysis conducted between

salt bridge and ion selective membrane operations.◦Observed changes occurred by changing following

parameters : Electrode surface area, Electrode spacing, no. of salt bridges, external resistance, aeration in cathode.

   Electrode : Graphite rod Length 15.24 cm Dia 1.27 cm Area 60 cm2

Catholyte : 1M NaCl solution Mediator : Methylene blue

SPECIFICATIONSCell no. 1

  Electrode : Zinc rod Length 15.24 cm Dia 1.27 cm Area 60 cm2

Catholyte : Potassium ferricyanide solution Mediator : Methylene blue

Cell no. 2

Date Cell No. 1 (Graphite rods) Voltage (in volts)

Cell No. 2 (Zinc Rods) Voltage (in volts)

7th May, 2013 0.09 0.15

8th May, 2013 0.35 0.01

9th May, 2013 0.34 0.04

10th May, 2013 0.48 0.03

11th May, 2013 0.27 0.02

12th May, 2013 0.24 0.02

13th May, 2013 0.20 0.01

OBSERVATION TABLE

On x axis: Day On y axis: Voltage

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 80

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

cell 1cell 2

Variation in voltage with time on 10th May in Cell No. 1:

Study by Jincheng Wei (2011):

Multimeter PVC pipe M seal Aeration Pump 4 Containers 2 Graphite rods 2 Zinc rods Agar and Potassium ferricyanide Therefore our total budget amounted to Rs 1500 only

BUDGET ESTIMATE

Waste treatment

Renewable biomass conversion

Body fluid batteries

Bio-sensors

Sediment electricity

Gastrobot

APPLICATIONS

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Use in a microgrid What is Microgrid?

◦ It is a small-scale power supply network that is designed to provide power for a small community.

◦ It enables local power generation for local loads.

◦ It comprises of various small power generating sources that makes it highly flexible and efficient.

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Introduction To Microgrid

◦ It is connected to both the local generating units and the utility grid thus preventing power outages.

◦ Excess power can be sold to the utility grid.

◦ Size of the Microgrid may range from housing estate to municipal regions.

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COMPONENTS OF MICROGRID

◦ Distributed Generation◦ Loads◦ Immediate storage◦ Controller◦ Point of Common Coupling

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Typical Microgrid is shown below:

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Pamelo, Indonesia- Village Microgrid

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Microgrid Operating Modes Grid Connected Mode:

◦ Utility grid is active.

◦ Static switch is closed

◦ All the feeders are being supplied by utility grid.

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Microgrid Operating Modes Island Mode:

◦ Utility grid is not supplying power

◦ Static switch is open.

◦ Feeder A, B, C are being supplied by Microsources.

◦ Feeder D (not sensitive ) is dead.

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The Need Of Microgrid

◦ Microgrid could be the answer to our energy crisis.

◦ Transmission losses gets highly reduced.

◦ Microgrid results in substantial savings and cuts emissions without major changes to lifestyles.

◦ Provide high quality and reliable energy supply to critical loads

Generation of energy out of biowaste/organic matter . Direct conversion of substrate energy to electricity . Sludge production :The amount of electrons diverted

towards the anode and the energy they represent. This energy (J) can be calculated as E = P x t = V x I x t, with E energy (J), P power (W), t time (s), V voltage (V) and I current (A).

Omission of gas treatment Aeration

ADVANTAGES OF MFCs

MFCs have not been commonly considered as the energy supplying ways for the future despite their outstanding advantages because MFC-based technology is not sufficiently advanced enough to produce substantial quantities of energy n a cost effective manner.

If the current trend towards the development of biologically inspired robotic systems continues, it seems inevitable that a power source based on natural food consumption will play an important role.

CONCLUSIONS