Effect of simple interventions on the performance of a miniature MFC fed with fresh urine
Effect of simple interventions on the performance of a miniature MFC fed with fresh urine
The aim of the present study is to enhance the performance of a microbial fuel cell (MFC) design by making simple interventions. Specifically, terracotta “t” and mullite “m” ceramics are tested as membranes while carbon veil and carbon cloth are used as electrodes. In the case of “m” cylinders different dimensions are examined (m: ID 30 mm x height 11.5 mm; sm: ID 18 mm x height 18 mm). The units operated continuously with urine as the feedstock. The best performing is the sm type (60–100 μW), followed by the t type (40–80 μW) and the m type (20–40 μW). Polarisation experiments indicated that activated carbon on the anode enhances the power output (t: 423 μW, sm: 288 μW). Similarly, the increase of the surface area and the addition of stainless steel mesh on the cathode improves the power performance for the “sm” and the “t” units. Furthermore, it is shown that the design with the smaller internal diameter, performs better and is more stable through time.
Bioenergy, Ceramic membranes, Microbial fuel cells design, Urine
33594-33600
Tremouli, Asimina
abf22981-9600-437c-9e33-70be45061b58
Greenman, John
eb3d9b82-7cac-4442-9301-f34884ae4a16
Ieropoulos, Ioannis
6c580270-3e08-430a-9f49-7fbe869daf13
13 September 2021
Tremouli, Asimina
abf22981-9600-437c-9e33-70be45061b58
Greenman, John
eb3d9b82-7cac-4442-9301-f34884ae4a16
Ieropoulos, Ioannis
6c580270-3e08-430a-9f49-7fbe869daf13
Tremouli, Asimina, Greenman, John and Ieropoulos, Ioannis
(2021)
Effect of simple interventions on the performance of a miniature MFC fed with fresh urine.
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 46 (67), .
(doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.07.171).
Abstract
The aim of the present study is to enhance the performance of a microbial fuel cell (MFC) design by making simple interventions. Specifically, terracotta “t” and mullite “m” ceramics are tested as membranes while carbon veil and carbon cloth are used as electrodes. In the case of “m” cylinders different dimensions are examined (m: ID 30 mm x height 11.5 mm; sm: ID 18 mm x height 18 mm). The units operated continuously with urine as the feedstock. The best performing is the sm type (60–100 μW), followed by the t type (40–80 μW) and the m type (20–40 μW). Polarisation experiments indicated that activated carbon on the anode enhances the power output (t: 423 μW, sm: 288 μW). Similarly, the increase of the surface area and the addition of stainless steel mesh on the cathode improves the power performance for the “sm” and the “t” units. Furthermore, it is shown that the design with the smaller internal diameter, performs better and is more stable through time.
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1-s2.0-S0360319921028962-main (1)
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e-pub ahead of print date: 11 August 2021
Published date: 13 September 2021
Additional Information:
Funding Information:
The work has been funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation , grant no. OPP1094890 .
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Authors
Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Keywords:
Bioenergy, Ceramic membranes, Microbial fuel cells design, Urine
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 454530
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/454530
ISSN: 0360-3199
PURE UUID: 68a16105-f594-48de-a137-b820991f3f24
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Date deposited: 15 Feb 2022 17:39
Last modified: 18 Mar 2024 04:04
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Author:
Asimina Tremouli
Author:
John Greenman
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