Operational parameters affecting the performannce of a mediator-less microbial fuel cell.
A mediator-less microbial fuel cell was optimized in terms of various operating conditions. Current generation was dependent on several factors such as pH, resistance, electrolyte used, and dissolved oxygen concentration in the cathode compartment. The highest current was generated at pH 7. Under the operating conditions, the resistance was the rate-determining factor at over 500 omega. With resistance lower than 500 omega, proton transfer and dissolved oxygen (DO) supply limited the cathode reaction. A high strength buffer reduced the proton limitation to some extent. The DO concentration was around 6 mg l(-1) at the DO limited condition. The fact that oxygen limitation was observed at high DO concentration is believed to be due to the poor oxygen reducing activity of the electrode used, graphite. The current showed linear relationship with the fuel added at low concentration, and the electronic charge was well correlated with substrate concentration from up to 400 mg l(-1) of COD(cr). The microbial fuel cell might be used as a biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) sensor.
Gil
Geun-Cheol
GC
Water Environment Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 39-1 Hawolgok, Sungpook, Seoul 136-791, South Korea.
Chang
In-Seop
IS
Kim
Byung-Hong
BH
Kim
Mia
M
Jang
Jae-Kyung
JK
Park
Hyung Soo
HS
Kim
Hyung-Joo
HJ
D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources / Q000382:microbiology*; D018441:Biofilms; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004566:Electrodes / Q000382:microbiology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000517:prevention & control; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D011786:Quality Control; D012722:Sewage / Q000382:microbiology*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods
D007220:Industrial Waste; D012722:Sewage