The performance of a microbial fuel cell depends strongly on anode geometry: a multidimensional modeling study.
A multidimensional biofilm model is developed to simulate biofilm growth on the anode of a Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC). The biofilm is treated as a conductive material, and electrons produced during microbial growth are assumed to be transferred to the anode through a conductive biofilm matrix. Growth of Geobacter sulfurreducens is simulated using the Nernst-Monod kinetic model that was previously developed and later validated in experiments. By implementing a conduction-based biofilm model in two dimensions, we are able to explore the impact of anode density and arrangement on current production in a MFC.
Department of Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA. bvm@northwestern.edu
Brian V
BV
Merkey
David L
DL
Chopp
D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources / Q000382:microbiology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004566:Electrodes / Q000382:microbiology; D045302:Geobacter / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological