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The Effect of Anode Geometry on Power Output in Microbial Fuel Cells

Gerber, Matthew
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1406120948

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Mechanical Engineering.
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are bio-electrochemical devices that use micro-organisms, predominately bacteria, to directly convert the chemical energy of substrates contained within wastewater to electricity. The suspended and dissolved organic matter contained within typical wastewater streams such as those from domestic, municipal, and agricultural sources are directly oxidized by an MFC’s bacteria to produce electrons, which can be collected and drawn through an external, electrical circuit and used to power a load. In doing so, an MFC can simultaneously produce electrical power while purifying wastewater though chemical conversion of the substrates. However, despite their potential to integrate wastewater purification with electrical power production, MFCs currently suffer from low output power: typical MFCs have been reported to produce only 10-3–10-2 W. Compared to an output power of 1–107 W for other fuel cell types such as solid oxide or hydrogen, this gap represents significant room for improvement, especially considering that the theoretical maximum for an MFC is on the order of 106 W. This thesis studies the effect on power output of adding geometrical structures to the surface of the fuel cell anode. Through a broad parametric numerical study, two forms were selected for physical fabrication: a right pyramid and a cone. A working MFC was constructed and run in continuous-flow mode with an acetate-based substrate feed. Power outputs were recorded and compared between different anode designs to show that surface shear rate and not surface area is the determining factor in dictating power output in a MFC.
Shaurya Prakash (Advisor)
A. Terrence Conlisk (Committee Member)
208 p.
Engineering; Fluid Dynamics; Microbiology
microbial fuel cell; microstructure; surface shear rate; geometric form

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Gerber, M. (2014). The Effect of Anode Geometry on Power Output in Microbial Fuel Cells [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1406120948

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Gerber, Matthew. The Effect of Anode Geometry on Power Output in Microbial Fuel Cells. 2014. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1406120948.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Gerber, Matthew. "The Effect of Anode Geometry on Power Output in Microbial Fuel Cells." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1406120948

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1406120948
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© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.