RECENT PROGRESSES IN MICROBIAL FUEL CELL

1. RECENT PROGRESSES IN MICROBIAL FUEL CELL Sara Madani Supervisor: Reza Gheshlaghi

2. Outline • Introduction • History • How do MFCs work? • Key parameters • Substrate • pH • Conclusion

3. Microbial Fuel Cells : Novel Biotechnology For Energy Generation • Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have emerged in recent years as a promising yet challenging technology. • MFCs are the major type of bioelectrochemical systems (BESs). • MFC is considered to be a promising sustainable technology to meet increasing energy needs. • MFC can generate electricity and accomplish wastewater treatmentsimultaneously • It may offset the operational costs of wastewater treatment. A review of the substrates used in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) for sustainable energy production Deepak Pant *, Gilbert Van Bogaert, Ludo Diels, KarolienVanbroekhoven

4. History • The knowledge that bacteria can generate electric current was first reported by Potter (1911). • Very few practical advances were achieved in this field even 55 years later (Lewis 1966). • In the early 1990s, fuel cells became of more interest and work on MFCs began to increase (Allen and Bennett0 1993). • The first air-cathode MFC was reported by Sell et al. (1989). • The breakthrough in MFCs occurred in 1999 when it was recognized that mediators did not need to be added (Kim et al. 1999a; Kim et al. 1999b).

5. Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) Have Gained A Lot Of Attention In Recent Years The number of articles on MFCs. The data is based on the number of articles mentioning MFC in the citation database Scopus in September’ 2009 A review of the substrates used in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) for sustainable energy production Deepak Pant , Gilbert Van Bogaert, Ludo Diels, KarolienVanbroekhoven

6. A Traditional MFC Cathode Membrane Anode

7. e- e- MO Cell e- e- e- MR H2O e- Cell H+ H+ e- H+ e- O2 Cell

8. Microbial Fuel Cells and Parameters Affecting Performance • Microorganisms • Anode material and pretreatment • Cathode material and pretreatment • Membrane • Architecture • Substrate • pH

9. Microbial Fuel Cell : Substrate • Substrate is regarded as one of the most important biological factors. • A great variety of substrates can be used in MFCs ranging from pure compounds to complex mixtures of organic matter present in wastewater. • The substrate influences not only the integral composition of thebacterial community in anode, but also the MFC performance. A review of the substrates used in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) for sustainable energy production Deepak Pant *, Gilbert Van Bogaert, Ludo Diels, KarolienVanbroekhoven

10. Microbial Fuel Cell : Substrate • Simple Substrates: Acetate Glucose . . . • Complex Substrates: Municipal Wastewater Industrial Wastewater Brewery Wastewater Chocolate wastewater Starch Processing Wastewater Dye Wastewater. . . Landfill Leachates Lignocellulosic Biomass . . . A review of the substrates used in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) for sustainable energy production Deepak Pant *, Gilbert Van Bogaert, Ludo Diels, KarolienVanbroekhoven

11. pH Gradient: Important Bottleneck • pH gradient happens during a long-term operation • pH gradient affects MFCs performance directly • One unit pH difference ≈ 59 mV Anodic Reaction • Important limiting steps in anode : transport in the biofilm transport throw the proton exchange membrane • Shifts microbial community • Anodic potential reduction Cathodic Reaction • A pH increase at the cathode, which can negatively affect the cell performance. • Cathodic potential reduction Zhuang, L., et al., Enhanced performance of air-cathode two-chamber microbial fuel cells with high-pH anode and low-pH cathode. Bioresource Technology, 2010. 101: p. 3514–3519. Clauwaert, P., et al., Minimizing losses in bio-electrochemical systems: the road to applications. . Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 2008. 79: p. 901–913

12. Unwanted pH Gradient :Solution • Well-buffered solution offset pH changes. • Use of Membraneless structure (single chamber). • Use of some membrane alternatives (diffusion layer). Zhuang, L., et al., Enhanced performance of air-cathode two-chamber microbial fuel cells with high-pH anode and low-pH cathode. Bioresource Technology, 2010. 101: p. 3514–3519

13. Conclusion: • The integration of MFCs with existing separation, conversion and treatment technologies. • The Type of substrates clearly affects power output and CoulombicEfficiency • Substrates rich in organic matter & produced in large volumes ( food & pharmaceuticalindustries biorefineries wastes , and by products)

14. Conclusion: • New bacterial communities • Inverse pH gradient would be helpful • Static control of pH (economical & operational limitation) • Membrane less configuration (reduction of CE)

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16. Thank You For Your Time, And Interest In Microbial Fuel Cells!