Bio fuel cells | Sludge Treatment
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) use bacteria to convert chemical energy from bio-convertible substrates like glucose or acetate directly into electricity. A typical MFC consists of an anode compartment where microbes oxidize fuel and generate electrons and protons, and a cathode compartment exposed to air. A cation-specific membrane allows proton passage between compartments. MFCs offer unlimited fuel sources without pollution and can achieve higher energy conversion than other methods, with no moving parts or noise. Examples demonstrate various microbes generating voltages between 250-650mV using different substrates and mediators or mediator-less systems. Significant factors that affect MFC operation include electrode type and area, use of catalysts, substrate concentration, and types of micro
Bio fuel cells | Sludge Treatment
- 1. icrobial Fuel Cell The future of Bio-energy…M Vishal .V. Doshi Ms in Molecular Biology (Contd.), Skövde University, Skövde-54162, Sweden.
- 2. What is Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC) ? A microbial fuel cell (MFC) converts chemical energy, available in a bio-convertible substrate, directly into electricity. To achieve this, bacteria are used as a catalyst to convert substrate into electrons. A typical microbial fuel cell consists of anode and cathode compartments separated by a cation (positively charged ion) specific membrane. In the anode compartment, fuel is oxidized by microorganisms, generating electrons and protons. In general, there are two types of microbial fuel cells: mediator and mediator-less microbial fuel cells.
- 3. Why Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC) ? • Unlimited supply of fuel • No reliance on foreign oil • Little or no pollutants • Much higher energy conversion % • No moving parts • No noise
- 4. Anode Chamber – Stores fuel --> Cathode Chamber – Exposed to air <-- Membrane - Allows for H+ passage^ Often Platinum Catalyst V V
- 5. Examples of microbial-based fuel cells Microbe Substrate Mediator Anode Voltage E.coli Glucose Methylene Blue Pt- C-cloth 625mV Bacillus subtilis Glucose Thionine Vitreous Carbon 640mV E.coli Acetate Neutral red Graphite felt 250mV Pseudomonas methanica Methane 1-Naphthol-2- Sulfonate indo- 2,6 dichlorophenol Pt-black 550mV Proteus vulgaris Sucrose Thionine Carbon rod 350mV
- 6. Molecular Biology A General layout of a MFC in which in the anodic compartment the bacteria can bring about oxidative conversions while in the cathodic compartment chemical and microbial reductive processes can occur. (After Rabaey & Verstraete,2005) Mediator Shuttling Electrons Mediator-less
- 7. Molecular Biology Mediator-less ETC in Prokaryotes
- 8. Molecular Biology Summary of components proposed to be involved in the electron transport from cells to the anode in MFCs using metal reducing microorganisms (Geobacter species). (Figure drawn with modifications after Lovley et al., 2004.)
- 9. Significant Factors Affecting MFC Operation Type of electrodes Surface area of electrodes Use of catalysts Conc. of hydrocarbon in anode chamber Agitation of hydrocarbon molecules Rate of replacement of hydrocarbons Types of microbes/enzymes Conc. of microbes/enzymes
- 12. Pollution…Electricity + = Bioremediation, which uses microbes like Geobacter metallireducens and S. oneidensis to facilitate removal of contaminants, allows on-site treatment. + Electricity (side product)
- 13. Conclusion..!?
- 14. Thank you for patient listening