Continuous microbial fuel cell using a photoautotrophic cathode and a fermentative anode

Autor: Pranabendu Mitra, Gordon A. Hill
Rok vydání: 2011
Předmět:
Zdroj: The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering. 90:1006-1010
ISSN: 0008-4034
Popis: A complete microbial fuel cell (MFC) operating under continuous flow conditions and using Chlorella vulgaris at the cathode and Saccharomyces cerevisiae at the anode was investigated for the production of electricity. The MFC was loaded with different resistances to characterise its power capabilities and voltage dynamics. A cell recycle system was also introduced to the cathode to observe the effect of microalgae cell density on steady-state power production and dynamic voltage profiles. At the maximum microalgae cell density of 2140 mg/L, a maximum power level of 0.6 mW/m2 of electrode surface area was achieved. The voltage difference between the cathode and anode decreased as the resistance decreased within the closed circuit, with a maximum open circuit voltage (infinite resistance) of 220 mV. The highest current flow of 1.0 mA/m2 of electrode surface area was achieved at an applied resistance of 250 Ω.
Databáze: OpenAIRE