Microbial Fuel Cells: Conversion of Organic Matter to Electricity

Miss Jiraphorn Lubsungnoen ID: M5430116

School: Biotechnology Institute: Agricultural Technology

Thesis advisors: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aphichat Boontawan

Introduction

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) , a new form of energy .

MFCs are able to convert electrochemical energy to

electricity in organic compound through catalytic

reactions of microorganism under anaerobic.

MFCs can also be used in wastewater treatment to

break down organic matters.

Objective

Fig 1 . Schematic of the basic

component of microbial fuel cell.

• To demonstrate electricity

could be generate from

wastewater

• To examine efficiency

of wastewater degradation

when using MFCs

Methodology

MFCs configurations and running

• FPMFC has a proton exchange membrane sandwiched

between two carbon paper electrodes. Channels are drilled

so that the flow follows a serpentine path through the

system.

• Ethanol wastewater that collects from fermentation

laboratory of Suranaree university of technology , use as

substrate and inoculums for the reactor .Phosphate buffer

solution use as basal medium .

• Reactor that operate in continuous flow mode in

a temperature control room ( 30 ±1 ˚C ) .

Fig 2. Schematic side view of the

Flat plate microbial fuel cell(FPMFC).

Analyses

• Voltage output and power generation will be used digital

milimeter and will be calculated Current and power density .

• Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of the wastewater

will measure according to standard close reflux method

Results (Results are related with this research)

Substrate Source

inoculums

Type of MFCs Current density

(mA/cm²)

Corn stove

biomass

Domestic

wastewater

Single chamber/ carbon

paper anode /carbon

cloth cathode

0.15

Ethanol Anaerobic sludge

from wastewater

plant

Double chamber

aqueous cathode /carbon

paper electrodes

0.025

Starch

processing

wastewater

Starch processing

wastewater

Single chamber /carbon

paper anode / air

cathode

0.09

[1]

Discussion

[3]

The factor that affect the MFCs

performance are substrate , source

inoculums, type of MFC ,operation

condition and other. Application of

MFCs are limited because of their

low power density .

Conclusion

Electricity will be generating from

MFCs using ethanol wastewater as

substrate. So , this study will be

leading improve the performance

of MFCs for practical application.

Reference [1]Du, Z., Li, H., Gu, T., 2007. A state of the art review on microbial fuel cells:

a promising technology for wastewater treatment and bioenergy.

Biotechnology Advance.25, 464–482.

[1]

[2]

[2]

[2]Min, B. & Logan, B. E., 2004.Continuous electricity generation from domestic

wastewater and organic substrates in a flat plate microbial fuel

cell.Environmental Science Technology 38, 5809-5814.

[3] Pant,D.,Van Borgaet,G.,Diels,L.,Vanbroekhoven,K., 2009. A review of the

substrates used in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) for sustainable energy

production. Bioresource technology,1-11.

Abstract A microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are able to convert electrochemical energy to electricity in organic compound through

catalytic reactions of microorganism under anaerobic and can also used in wastewater treatment . The factor that affect the MFCs

performance are source inoculums, type of MFCs ,operation condition and other. Application of MFCs are limited because of their

low power density and expensive cost of MFCs materials.

MFCs is able to degrade biological waste as well as generate electricity products of wastewater from ethanol production.

In addition, the high efficiency of MFC for wastewater treatment can lead to scale-up for practical application.