Multi-objective steady-state optimization of two-chamber microbial fuel cells

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a novel promising technology for simultaneous renewable electricity generation and wastewater treatment. Three non-comparable objectives, i.e. power density, attainable current density and waste removal ratio, are often conflicting. A thorough understanding of the relationship among these three con-flicting objectives can be greatly helpful to assist in optimal operation of MFC system. In this study, a multi-objective genetic algorithm is used to simultaneously maximizing power density, attainable current density and waste removal ratio based on a mathematical model for an acetate two-chamber MFC. Moreover, the level diagrams method is utilized to aid in graphical visualization of Pareto front and decision making. Three bi-objective optimization problems and one three-objective optimization problem are thoroughly investigated. The obtained Pareto fronts illustrate the complex relationships among these three objectives, which is helpful for final decision support. Therefore, the integrated methodology of a multi-objective genetic algorithm and a graphical visualization technique provides a promising tool for the optimal operation of MFCs by simultaneously considering multiple conflicting objectives.     

Alginate‐Encapsulated Bacteria for the Treatment of Hypersaline Solutions in Microbial Fuel Cells

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) based on a new wild‐type strain of Salinivibrio sp. allowed the self‐sustained treatment of hypersaline solutions (100 g L^?1, 1.71 m NaCl), reaching a removal of (87±11) % of the initial chemical oxygen demand after five days of operation, being the highest value achieved for hypersaline MFC. The degradation process and the evolution of the open circuit potential of the MFCs were correlated, opening the possibility for online monitoring of the treatment. The use of alginate capsules to trap bacterial cells, increasing cell density and stability, resulted in an eightfold higher power output, together with a more stable system, allowing operation up to five months with no maintenance required. The reported results are of critical importance to efforts to develop a sustainable and cost‐effective system that treats hypersaline waste streams and reduces the quantity of polluting compounds released.     

微生物燃料电池中阴极长期运行的性能分析

微生物燃料电池（MFC）阴极性能在长期运行过程中逐渐下降,查明其下降原因对MFC技术的实际应用具有重要意义。采用泡沫镍阴极研究了阴极长期运行过程中阴极下降的原因。研究发现：MFC运行4个月之后功率密度相比运行1周的MFC下降达22%,测试电极极化曲线发现阴极性能的下降是导致MFC功率密度下降的主要因素。线性伏安扫描（LSV）结果显示：运行初期在-0.2 V电势下阴极电流密度为12.3 A·m^-2,而运行4个月后,阴极电流密度下降为4.2 A·m^-2,阴极性能随运行时间增加而降低主要表现在大电流区域[>-0.05 V （vs Ag/AgCl）]。对阴极表面和内部进行扫描电子电镜（SEM）分析发现：阴极表面没有明显的生物膜,氧扩散实验发现阴极氧扩散量明显降低是造成阴极性能下降的主要原因;通过能谱分析（EDS）可知阴极内部有磷酸盐析出。这些结果说明阴极内部在长期运行过程中逐渐析盐,而析盐导致泡沫镍阴极内孔隙堵塞,阻碍氧扩散到催化层,从而使阴极性能降低。     

微生物燃料电池最新研究进展

介绍了微生物燃料电池(MFC)的原理、组成和特点,并针对MFC功率密度过低、构造成本高等问题,从筛选优势产电微生物、改善MFC的构造、优化电极材料以及提高电子传递效率等方面进行了介绍,同时还提到了提高产电性能的各种途径,最后对MFC的发展前景进行了展望.     

Evaluation of applied cathode potential to enhance biocathode in microbial fuel cells

BACKGROUND: The biocathode is proving to be a promising feature for development of the microbial fuel cell (MFC), although much work remains to be done to increase its power generation. This study aimed to enhance the performance of a biocathode by applying selected cathode potential. RESULTS: When five two‐chambered MFCs were operated at selected cathode potentials of 142, 242, 342, 442, or 542 mV (vs standard hydrogen electrode), those MFCs with selected potentials lower than 342 mV could start up, and the highest power density of 0.11 W m^?3 was obtained at a selected potential of 242 mV. An inner‐biocathode MFC was then constructed and operated at a start‐up cathode potential of 242 mV for 30 days. The open circuit cathode potential increased from 477 ± 9 mV to 572 ± 8 mV compared with the potential of the initially abiotic cathode, resulting in an increase in the maximum power density (4.25 ± 0.16 W m^?3) of 106%. In addition, tests of continuous operation showed that a loading rate of 135 mg COD L^?1 d^?1 was optimal for obtaining maximum power generation in the system developed for this study. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that an optimal cathode potential of 242 mV enhanced the performance of a biocathode using oxygen as the electron acceptor. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

阳极双电层电容对微生物燃料电池性能的影响

采用3种活性炭粉制备具有不同电容的阳极,研究了双电层电容阳极对单室空气阴极微生物燃料电池启动、运行、性能、阳极生物膜附着的影响。结果表明:当电极表面积相近的情况下,阳极双电层电容从0.0012 F增加到22.72 F时,微生物燃料电池启动时间缩短了68.0%,电池的最大功率密度增加了16.8倍,达到546.1 m W·m-2。扫描电子显微镜的结果表明高电容的阳极表面附着的微生物量比低电容电极的高1倍。因此,微生物燃料电池性能受阳极双电层电容的影响,而与阳极表面积的相关性小。     

Effects of a transient external voltage application on the bioanode performance of microbial fuel cells

The effects of a transient external voltage application on the bioanode performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) inoculated with mixed cultures were investigated. Different positive and negative external voltages were applied to a set of bioanodes. The MFCs under +1, −1, and −5 V voltage applications achieved higher current densities than the control during the start-up period. The MFC exposed to a voltage of +1 V had the highest maximum power density of 73.5 mW m⁻² after a 96-h operation. However, the +5 and +10 V voltage applications delayed or even deteriorated the MFC start-up. The −10 V voltage application initially induced a higher power output, but later had a detrimental effect on the MFC performance. The negative voltage application was proven to enhance the catalytic activity of the bioanode, and found to be partially responsible for the improved MFC bioanode performance.     

A microbial fuel cell–electro‐oxidation system for coking wastewater treatment and bioelectricity generation

BACKGROUND: Coking wastewater is generated from coal coking, coal gas purification, and by‐product recovery processes. Increased interest is being focused on finding more sustainably effective and energy‐efficient methods for treating this wastewater. In this work, a system termed microbial fuel cell‐electro‐oxidation (MFC‐EO) was developed for simultaneous coking wastewater treatment and bioelectricity generation. RESULTS: Raw coking wastewater was first treated using MFCs. Power production, removal of total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) and total nitrogen (TN) reached 538 ± 9 mW m^?2, 52 ± 1% and 50 ± 1%, respectively. Wastewater strength and phosphate addition were evaluated for the enhancement of power production and treatment efficiency. At the EO stage, the effect of current density and chloride concentration on pollutant abatement, current efficiency (CE_EO) and energy consumption (EC_EO) were investigated. The overall removal of TCOD and TN was 82 ± 1% and 68 ± 1%, respectively using the MFC‐EO process. CONCLUSIONS: A MFC‐EO process was developed for the first time for simultaneous bioelectricity generation and coking wastewater treatment. This study attempted to combine MFCs with a conventional EO process for coking wastewater treatment. Further strategies need to be investigated to optimize reactor configuration using low‐cost and highly efficient electrode materials. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Microbial fuel cells operated with iron-chelated air cathodes

The use of non-noble metal-based cathodes can enhance the sustainability of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). We demonstrated that an iron-chelated complex could effectively be used as an aerated catholyte or as an iron-chelated open air cathode to generate current with the use of MFCs. An aerated iron ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Fe-EDTA) catholyte generated a maximum current of 34.4 mA and a maximum power density of 22.9 W m⁻³ total anode compartment (TAC). Compared to a MFC with a hexacyanoferrate catholyte, the maximum current was similar but the maximum power was 50% lower. However, no replenishment of the Fe-EDTA catholyte was needed. The creation of an activated carbon cloth open air cathode with Fe-EDTA–polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) applied to it increased the maximum power density to 40.3 W m⁻³ TAC and generated a stable current of 12.9 mA (at 300 mV). It was observed that the ohmic loss of an open air cathode MFC was dependent on the type of membrane used. Moreover, increasing the anode electrode thickness of an open air cathode MFC from 1.5 to 7.5 cm, resulted in a lowering of the power and current density.     

以沼液为原料的微生物燃料电池产电降解特性

为提高生物质能源利用效率,降低废水处理成本,实验构建单室无膜空气阴极微生物燃料电池（microbial fuel cell,MFC）,碳布作为阴阳极材料,将牛粪沼液作为接种液及底物进行产电性能测试,同时考察了MFC对该沼液的降解效果。结果表明,MFC能够利用沼液进行产电,最高输出电压330 mV,内阻10 kW,最大功率密度为10.98 mW·m^-2,沼液中的不可溶性物质是导致MFC输出电压、功率密度低的重要原因。MFC的运行对沼液中的有机物、氮、磷等物质具有一定的降解能力,24 h内去除率分别达到20.73%、67.82%、72.56%。因此,MFC作为产生电能的新方法,在联合处理沼液等有机废水节能减排方面具有广阔前景。     

电极对微生物燃料电池同时处理有机废水和含铜重金属废水产电性能的影响

实验以有机废水为阳极底物,以活性污泥中的混合菌为阳极接种微生物,以含铜废水为阴极液,构建双室MFC,探讨电极对MFC同时处理有机废水和含铜重金属废水产电性能的影响.结果表明:MFC对阳极有机废水COD的去除率最高为79.1%,对阴极液中Cu²⁺的去除率最高为95.6%.活性炭/石墨棒电极MFC产电性能最优,开路电压最高为800mV,是石墨棒电极MFC的1.25倍,是活性炭/碳纸电极MFC的1.3倍,是碳纸电极MFC的1.5倍.当电极距离为2cm时,MFC开路电压580mV,内阻为181Ω,产电性能最优.电极表面积为75cm²时,MFC的开路电压470mV,是电极表面积为50cm²的MFC的1.1倍,是电极表面积为30cm²的MFC的2.1倍.当A_An/A_cat=0.4时MFC产能最佳,MFC的开路电压最高为600mV,最大功率密度48.2mW/m².     

利用生物活性炭提高微生物燃料电池产电性能

通过比较三组微生物燃料电池（MFC）的产电性能,考察使用生物活性炭（BAC）对提高MFC产电性能所起的作用。它们分别是：在阳极室内未投加活性炭的、投加了柱状活性炭的和投加了小颗粒活性炭的3种MFC。投加时机是在电池启动阶段,此时微生物在活性炭上驯化出生物膜,即形成生物活性炭,目的是辅助阳极富集更多微生物。结果表明,投加了小颗粒活性炭的MFC在产电性能和污水处理上具有优势。该电池最大容积功率密度达到1540 mW/m³ ,COD去除率达到了88%。     

A Box–Behnken Design-Based Model for Predicting Power Performance in Microbial Fuel Cells Using Wastewater

Although modeling is regarded as a useful tool to understand the performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs), the number of MFC models remains very low compared with the number of experimental works available in the literature. Moreover, there are very few MFC modeling attempts dealing with the use of wastewater as fuel in these devices, which is essential for the practical implementation of MFCs since the potential of this technology lies in the two-fold benefit of wastewater treatment and bioenergy generation. In this work, a four-factor three-level Box–Behnken design was developed to model the electrochemical power generation in two-chamber MFCs using wastewater as fuel. The optimum values of temperature, external resistance, feed concentration and anodic pH that maximized power output were investigated. Optimum conditions were found at T = 35°C and R = 1 kΩ, corresponding to a maximum power density of 0.88 W·m^?3, while feed concentration and pH did not show statistical significance in the ranges studied. Thus, a Box–Behnken design-based model as empirical approach could provide an effective tool for the optimization study of MFC systems.     

3D打印微生物燃料电池阳极及其性能特性

微生物燃料电池是一种处理废水同时产生电能的新型装置，阳极作为微生物燃料电池的重要组件极大地影响电池性能。针对微生物燃料电池传统三维电极结构不合理导致电极内部物质传输受限，电池功率密度较低的问题，本文采用3D打印技术并碳化的方式构建了结构可控的微生物燃料电池阳极，通过热重分析得到合适的碳化条件，并通过进一步的电化学分析和电极微观形貌拍摄研究了电极内部孔道结构对微生物生长情况和电池性能的影响。实验结果表明：电极孔径尺寸为0.4mm时，电池具有最优性能，其最大功率密度达12.85W/m²，比采用碳布阳极的MFC提升10倍，较采用碳毡阳极的燃料电池高38%；具有可控孔道结构电极的传荷阻抗和传质阻抗是限制电极性能的主要因素，通过优化孔道尺寸和结构分布可降低其传荷及传质阻抗，可以进一步提升电池性能。     

A microbial fuel cell using manganese oxide oxygen reduction catalysts

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a potential method for enhanced water and waste treatment, which offer the additional benefit of energy generation. Manganese oxide was prepared by a simple chemical oxidation using potassium permanganate. Carbon-supported manganese oxide nanoparticles were successfully characterised as cathode materials for MFCs. The manganese oxide particles when used in a two-chamber MFC, using inoculum from an anaerobically digested sewage sludge, were found to exhibit similar oxygen reduction performance to that in separate electrochemical tests. MFC tests were conducted in a simple two chamber cell using aqueous air-saturated catholytes separated from the anode chamber by a Nafion membrane. MFC peak power densities were ca. 161 mW m^?2 for MnO _x /C compared to 193 mW m^?2 for a benchmark Pt/C, in neutral solution at room temperature. The catalyst materials demonstrated good stability in the 7.0–10.0 pH range. Theoretical (IR free) peak power densities were 937 mW m^?2 for MnO _x /C compared with 1037 mW m^?2 for Pt/C in the same experimental conditions: showing the MFCs performances can easily be improved by using more favourable conditions (more conductive electrolyte, improved cathode catalyst etc.). Our studies indicated that the use of our low cost MnO _x /C catalysts is of potential interest for the future application of MFC systems.     

微生物燃料电池MnO2/S-AC泡沫镍空气阴极的制备及其性能

利用超级电容器活性炭(S-AC)直接还原KMnO₄制备出复合比例分别为1:3、1:1和3:1的MnO₂/S-AC复合催化剂, 进而负载于泡沫镍上制得MnO₂/S-AC泡沫镍空气阴极。通过X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)、能量散射X 射线谱(EDX)和比表面积(BET)及孔分布测试对所制复合催化剂表征可知, 随复合比例的增加, 在S-AC表面的MnO₂由纳米薄片聚集成粒径为300～500 nm的颗粒, MnO₂/S-AC的内部及外部表面积都有所减少。基于线性扫描伏安曲线、功率密度曲线和极化曲线分析微生物燃料电池(MFC)的阴极性能和产电性能。复合比例为1:3时, MFC最大功率密度达到321.2 mW·m^-2, 比阴极负载S-AC时提高了约20%, 这与其较高的比表面积和MnO₂良好的催化活性相关。MnO₂/S-AC复合催化剂控制在一定的质量比时, 可以有效提高阴极性能及MFC的产电效果, 有助于空气阴极MFC的的放大和工程应用。     

Treatment of cassava mill wastewater and production of electricity through microbial fuel cell technology

Cassava mill wastewater has a high organic content and is an important economic product of traditional and rural low technology agro-industry in many parts of the world. This study explores the utilization of agro-industrial wastewater collected from cassava mills as a resource for electricity generation by microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Mixed culture sludge was used to inoculate the bottom chamber of the MFCs whilst cassava mill wastewater was used in the MFCs. Experimental results showed that the MFCs could generate electricity from full-strength cyanide laden wastewater (16000 mg-COD/L, 86 mg/L cyanide) with a maximum power density of 1771 mW/m². The results from this study demonstrate the feasibility of using MFC technology to generate electricity whilst simultaneously treating cyanide laden cassava mill wastewater effectively. Using MFCs for cassava mill wastewater treatment provides an attractive way to reduce the cost of wastewater treatment in addition to generating electricity.     

Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification with electricity generation in dual‐cathode microbial fuel cells

BACKGROUND: Nitrogen removal using microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is of great interest owing to the potential benefits of bioenergy production. In this study, simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in dual‐cathode MFCs was investigated. RESULTS: The dual‐cathode MFCs investigated were capable of generating electricity and removing nitrogen, influenced by operating methods, nitrogen loading rates and external resistance. Depending on the ammonium concentration in the anode chamber, 84–97% of the ammonium nitrogen was removed via nitrification in the aerobic cathode. The removals of nitrate and total nitrogen were relatively low (～50%) at the influent ammonium concentration of 80 mg NH₄⁺‐N L^?1, but were significantly improved to more than 90% at a lower ammonium input (40 and 20 mg NH₄⁺‐N L^?1). When the electrode couples were electrically connected for different purposes, with high power output from the anode/aerobic cathode and high current generation from the anode/anoxic cathode, nitrogen removal was also improved. An investigation of aeration suggested that factors other than carbon supply, possibly inefficient reactor configuration, also limited the performance of the developed MFC. CONCLUSION: The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed pathway was feasible with effective nitrogen and organic removal. This study provided valuable information for the further development of a continuously operated dual‐cathode MFC system. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

两室气体互通对光合微生物燃料电池性能的影响

以斜生栅藻生长产生氧为电子受体的光合微生物燃料电池(PMFC)和外加CO2光合微生物燃料电池(AC-PMFC)联合构建成微生物碳捕获电池(MCC)。研究MCC在不同运行条件下的产电性能及影响因素。测量MCC, PMFC和AC-PMFC三种系统中的电压、溶解氧和pH。结果表明,产电压趋势与所有系统中的藻类阴极的氧浓度相关,电解液pH也能影响MFC电压的产生。三种类型的MFC中,MCC产电性能最佳,其电压和功率密度分别可达492 mV和102.3 mW/m2,最大功率密度分别比PMFC和AC-PMFC高42.33%, 54.08%。AC-PMFC由于添加了相对高浓度的CO2,抑制了微藻的生物活性和光合作用,产生的电压和功率密度最低。用SEM观察长期运行后的MCC的阴极表面藻类的形貌特征,藻生物膜与电极板表面能够生成一层高浓度的原位氧膜。电化学分析表明斜生栅藻–生物膜本身不能直接接收来自极板上的电子,无生物催化活性。但这层膜可促进O2的还原速率且可有效降低电池内阻。PCR和16S rRNA基因检测技术分析结果表明,MFC中的Chao1指数为170,而PMFC为152,MCC为145,阴极中的过饱和氧可通过管道输送到阳极并影响阳极的微生物群落。本研究结果为进一步改善藻类微生物碳捕获电池性能提供基础。     

Development of microbial fuel cell with anoxic/oxic design for treatment of saline seafood wastewater and biological electricity generation

BACKGROUND: Sustainable technologies need to be developed to treat saline seafood wastewater (SSW) efficiently. This study focused on the feasibility of a continuously operated microbial fuel cell (MFC) with modified anoxic/oxic (A/O) architecture (A/O–MFC) for power generation and treatment of SSW simultaneously. RESULTS: Hydraulic retention time (HRT) was shown to have an impact on polarization and power output of the A/O–MFC and the maximum power density of 16.2 W m^?3 was obtained at a current density of 41.7 A m^?3 and HRT of 4.2 h. High salinity together with advective flow mode enabled a low and constant internal resistance of approximately 100 Ω throughout the experiments. Besides, pH of waste stream in both compartments was found always near neutral level. Increasing HRT could improve eliminability of soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD) and biological nitrification. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a proof‐in‐concept demonstration to utilize an MFC for effective and sustainable treatment of SSW along with recovery of electrical energy. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry