3. INTRODUCTION
• Useof the fossil fuels can triggerglobal energycrisisand increased
global warming hence there is considerable interest in research
fraternityon green production
⚫ In an era of climate change, alternate energy sources are desired to
replace oil and carbon resources. Subsequently, climate change effects
in someareasand the increasing productionof biofuelsarealso putting
pressureon availablewaterresources.
⚫ Microbial Fuel Cells have the potential to simultaneously treat
wastewater forreuseand togenerateelectricity; thereby producing two
increasinglyscarce resources
⚫ Microbial fuel cell technologyrepresentsa new form of renewable
energy by generating electricity from what would otherwise be
considered waste, such as industrial wastes orwastewateretc
4. Continuation….
• M.C Potterwas the first toperformwork on thesubject in 1911 in
E.coli,A professorof botanyat the Universityof Durham
• In 1931, however, Barnet Cohendrew moreattention totheareawhen
he created a numberof microbial half fuel cells that, when connected
in series, were capable of producing over 35 volts, though only with a
currentof 2 milliamps
• In 1911 B.H. Kim devoloped mediatorless MFC was a milestone in MFC,
Enhanced thecommercialviablity,byeleiminating costly mediator
chemicals.
• Microbial fuel cells havecomea long way since theearly 20th century.
5. Whatare fuel cells?
Device thatconvertschemical energy from fuel intoelectricity through
chemical reactionwith oxygen oranotheroxidizing agent.
6. What are Microbial fuel cells?
⚫ Chemical energy toelectrical energy
⚫ Catalytic reactionof microorganisms
⚫ Bio-electrochemical system
⚫ Mimics bacterial interaction
primary flowdiagram
7. ⚫ Based on redoxreactions
⚫ Harness the natural metabolism of microbes toproduceelectricity
⚫ Bacteriaconvertssubstrate intoelectrons
⚫ Electronsrun through thecircuit togeneratepower
Principle
10. Anode;
⚫ Conductive,biocompatible & chemicalystablewith substrate
⚫ Stainlesssteel mesh,graphiteplatesorrods
⚫ Bacteria live in theanodecompartmentand convertsubstrateto CO2,H2O
and energy
⚫ Bacteriaare kept in an oxygen less environment
Anodecompartment
12. Exchange membrane;
⚫ NAFION or ULTREX
⚫ Protons flows through the EM
⚫ Protonand electrons recombineon theotherside.
⚫ Can b a proton orcation exchange membrane
Exchange membrane
27. Conclusion
⚫ MFCs have been explored as a new source of electricity generation
during operational waste water treatment.
⚫ Phototropic MFCs and solar powered MFC also represent an
exceptional attempt in the progress of MFCs technology for electricity
production.
⚫ It can be used for production of secondary fuel as well as in
bioremediation of toxic compounds.
⚫ However, this technology is only in research stage and more research is
required before domestic MFCs can be made available for
commercialization
⚫ Provided the biological understanding increases, the electrochemical
technology advances and the overall electrode prices decrease, this
technology might qualify as a new core technology for conversion of
carbohydrates to electricity in years to come.
