title: Determination of effects of turbulence flow in a cathode environment on electricity generation using a tidal mud-based cylindrical-type sediment microbial fuel cell.
abstract: We examined the possibility of harvesting electricity from the surface of a tidal mud flat using a cylindrical-type sediment microbial fuel cell (SMFC), a marine mud battery (MMB), which can be applied in a sea environment where the ebb and flow occur due to tidal difference. In addition, we indirectly investigated the influence of ebb and flow in a lab, using aeration, argon gassing, and by agitating the cathodic solution. The MMBs consisted of cylindrical acrylic compartments containing a nylon membrane, an anode, and a cathode in a single body. The MMBs were stuck vertically into an artificial tidal mud flat such that the anode electrode was in direct contact with the tidal mud surface. As a result, the maximum current and power density generated were 35 mA/m(2) and 9 mW/m(2), respectively, thus verifying that it is possible to harvest electricity from the surface of a tidal mud flat using an MMB without burying the anode electrode in the tidal mud. Furthermore, the results of tests using an artificial turbulence flow showed the flow induced by the tidal ebb and flow could allow the performance of MMBs to be enhanced.
authors.affiliation: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 261 Cheomdan-gwagiro (Oryong-dong), Buk-gu, Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Junyeong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: Soo-Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: How Yong
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: In Seop
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000693:Anaerobiosis; D001128:Argon; D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D004566:Electrodes; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D012623:Seawater; D055871:Tidal Waves; D014872:Water Movements
chemical_list: D001128:Argon