title: Stability characterization and modeling of robust distributed benthic microbial fuel cell (DBMFC) system.
abstract: A novel and robust distributed benthic microbial fuel cell (DBMFC) was developed to address the energy supply issues for oceanographic sensor network applications, especially under scouring and bioturbation by aquatic life. Multi-anode/cathode configuration was employed in the DBMFC system for enhanced robustness and stability in the harsh ocean environment. The results showed that the DBMFC system achieved peak power and current densities of 190mW/m(2) and 125mA/m(2) respectively. Stability characterization tests indicated the DBMFC with multiple anodes achieved higher power generation over the systems with single anode. A computational model that integrated physical, electrochemical and biological factors of MFCs was developed to validate the overall performance of the DBMFC system. The model simulation well corresponded with the experimental results, and confirmed the hypothesis that using a multi anode/cathode MFC configuration results in reliable and robust power generation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
authors.forename: Udayarka
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Karra
authors.forename: Guoxian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Ridvan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Umaz
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tenaglier
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Baikun
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D004560:Electricity; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques; D004566:Electrodes; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013816:Thermodynamics
keywords: A(aq); A(s); BMFC; Benthic microbial fuel cell (BMFC); Bioturbation; C(AC); C(O2); COD; Computational model; DBMFC; DO; F; Faraday constant; I(cell); I(total); K(AC); LSV; MFC; Multi anode/cathode arrays; NMOS; Negative-channel metal-oxide semiconductor; OCP; ORR; P(a/c); P(total); PTFE; R; R(ext); R(in); Stability; T; V; V(open); X; activation overpotential; activation overpotential at anode; activation overpotential at cathode; benthic microbial fuel cell; charge transfer coefficient at the anode; charge transfer coefficient at the cathode; chemical oxygen demand; concentration of the dissolved oxygen at the cathode surface; concentration overpotential; concentration overpotential at anode; concentration overpotential at cathode; concentrations of acetate at the anode surface; concentrations of biomass at the anode surface; cross-section area of the sediment; cross-section area of the solution; current of mfcs; d(aq); d(s); dissolved oxygen; distance of the electrodes in the sediment; distance of the electrodes in the solution; distributed benthic microbial fuel cell; exchange current coefficient; external resistance; gas constant; half velocity rate constant for acetate; internal resistance; k(1)(0); linear sweep voltammetry; microbial fuel cell; non-ideal current loss; ohmic overpotential; open circuit potential; operation temperature; overall output current; oxygen reduction rate; polytetrafluoroethylene; power output of one anode/cathode pair; r(A); rate constant of the anode reaction at standard conditions; reaction rate occurring at the anode; resistivity of the sediment; resistivity of the solution; total harvested power; voltage; α; β; γ; η(A,act); η(A,con); η(C,act); η(C,con); η(act); η(con); η(ohm); ρ(aq); ρ(s); σ(I)