Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are bioelectrochemical devices that convert chemical energy from organic compounds into electricity using microorganisms. MFCs operate between 20-40°C and pH 7 using bacteria like Shewanella putrefaciens and Geobacteraceae to catalyze the anode and cathode reactions. The history of MFCs dates back to 1911 with early prototypes, while the University of Queensland developed a 10L prototype in 2007 to generate electricity from brewery wastewater. MFCs can be used to treat wastewater and produce power, hydrogen, or desalinated water while remediating toxins.

1. Esraa Hussein Mohamed
14104622

3. Emission of CO2 in 2100 will
increase to 970 PPM

4. • Microbial fuel cells (MFCs)
are bioelectrochemical
devices that convert the
chemical energy present in
organic or inorganic
compounds into electric
current by using
microorganisms as the
catalysts.

5. v1911: M. C. Potter, a botany professor at the University of
Durham, developed the idea of obtaining energy from a
bacteria and was able to construct a primitive microbial fuel
cell.

6. 1931:
Barnet Cohen was able to
develop enough microbial fuel
cells, in which were connected
in series would produce over
35 volts with only a current of
2 milliamps.

7. • In May 2007, the University of
Queensland, Australia
completed a prototype MFC as
a cooperative effort
with Foster's Brewing. The
prototype, a 10 L design,
converted brewery
wastewater into carbon dioxide,
clean water and electricity.
• Twelve MFCs are placed in
parallel to clean the large
volume of wastewater.

9. Anode reaction (Oxidation):
CH3COO + 2H2O 2CO2+ 7H+ + e-microbes
Cathodic reaction (Reduction):
O2 + 4e- + 4H+ 2H2O

11. • MFCs operate well in temperature from
20 °C to 40 °f and also at pH of around
7.
• Dimensions per chamber :
• height: 40 mm
• width: 40 mm
• depth: 14 mm
• volume 22.4 mL

12. ØMaximum voltage production
was obtained from MFC with
heated iron coated carbon as
anode.
ØFrom the experiment results it
is proven that electricity
production increases as
concentration of waste water
increased

14. • Mediator microbial fuel cell:
The electron transfer from microbial cells to the electrode is facilitated
by mediators such as thionine, methyl blue, neutral red and so on.
• Mediator-free microbial fuel cell: Mediator-free microbial fuel cells
do not require a mediator but use electrochemically active bacteria to
transfer electrons to the electrode.

15. • Shewanella putrefaciens
• Aeromonas hydrophila
• Geobacteraceae.

16. • Graphite foil
• Carbon paper
• Felt
• Foam
• Activated carbon cloth
• Conductive polymers
• Metals such as aluminium, nickel or stainless steel

17. ØTreatment of Wastewater & solid
wastes
Ø Electrical Power Generation
ØSecondary fuel production
ØDesalination
ØBioremediation of toxic
compounds

18. ØHydrogen Production
• The standard MFC is converted to hydrogen production by keeping both
chambers anaerobic and supplementing the MFC with electricity.
•Hydrogen bubbles form at the cathode and are collected for use as fuel
source.
• This method of producing hydrogen is very efficient because more than
90% of the protons and electrons generated by the bacteria at the anode are
turned into hydrogen gas .

20. MFC
ApplicationIntroduction
Microbial fuel cells are
bioelectrochemical
devices that convert
the chemical energy
present in organic or
inorganic compounds
into electric current by
using microorganisms
Component
• Anode
• Cathode
• Exchange membrane
• Microbes
• Electrical circuit
• Substrate
Chemical
Reaction
Types of MFC
Mediator-free
microbial fuel
cell
Mediator
microbial
fuel cell
Operation
MFCs operate well in
temperature from 20
°C to 40 °f and also at
pH of around 7.
• Anode reaction (Oxidation):
CH3COO + 2H2O 2CO2 + 7H+ + e-
• Cathodic reaction (Reduction):
O2 + 4e- + 4H+ 2H2O
History
1911: M. C. Potter, a botany
professor at the University
of Durham, developed the
idea of obtaining energy
from a bacteria and was able
to construct a primitive
microbial fuel cell
1931: Barnet Cohen
was able to develop
enough microbial
fuel cells, in which
were connected in
series would produce
over 35 volts with
only a current of
2 milliamps
• In May 2007, the University of
Queensland, Australia completed a
prototype MFC as a cooperative
effort with Foster's Brewing. The
prototype, a 10 L design,
converted brewery wastewater into
carbon dioxide, clean water and
electricity.
• Twelve MFCs are placed in parallel
to clean the large volume of
wastewater.
electrochemically active bacteria's
• Shewanella putrefaciens
• Aeromonas hydrophila
• Geobacteraceae.
microbes
Esraa Hussein Mohamed
14104622
AASTMT
• Dimensions per chamber :
• height: 40 mm
• width: 40 mm
• depth: 14 mm
• volume 22.4 mL
• Treatment of
Wastewater &
solid wastes
• Electrical Power
Generation
• Secondary fuel
production
• Desalination
• Bioremediation of
toxic compounds