Microbial Fuel Cell

Institute of Engineering & Technology

What is Microbial Fuel Cell?

Microbial fuel cell is a bio-electrochemical system that derives

electricity by mimicking bacterial interactions found in nature.
Microorganisms catabolise compounds such as glucose,
acetate or wastewater.
Unlike conventional fuel cells, MFCs have certain advantages
like high energy-conversion efficiency and mild reaction
conditions

Microbial Fuel Cell

Metabolizing reactions in anode chamber are run anaerobic.

An oxidation-reduction mediator diverts electrons from the
transport chain.

LITERATURE REVIEW

A Muralidharan et al (2012): analysed the impact of

salt bridge over the production of electricity.

A Muralidharan et al (2011): focussed on the study

involving various concentrations of salt in salt bridge of
a mediator-less MFC.

Jincheng Wei (2011): study on recent advances in

electrode material.

Pranab K. Barua et al (2011): established that voltage

generated in a microbial fuel cell decreases linearly with
time.

Evans M.N. Chirwa et al:

a two chamber MFC system was evaluated.
A comparative performance analysis conducted between
salt bridge and ion selective membrane operations.
Observed changes occurred by changing following
parameters : Electrode surface area, Electrode spacing,
no. of salt bridges, external resistance, aeration in
cathode.

SPECIFICATIONS
Cell no. 1

Electrode : Graphite rod

Length
15.24 cm
Dia
1.27 cm
Area
60 cm2
Catholyte :
1M NaCl solution
Mediator :
Methylene blue

Cell no. 2

Electrode :
Length
Dia
Area
Catholyte :
Mediator :

Zinc rod
15.24 cm
1.27 cm
60 cm2
Potassium ferricyanide solution
Methylene blue

OBSERVATION TABLE
Date

Cell No. 1 (Graphite

rods)
Voltage (in volts)

Cell No. 2 (Zinc Rods)

Voltage (in
volts)
7th May, 2013

0.09

0.15

8th May, 2013

0.35

0.01

9th May, 2013

0.34

0.04

10th May, 2013

0.48

0.03

11th May, 2013

0.27

0.02

12th May, 2013

0.24

0.02

13th May, 2013

0.20

0.01

0.6

0.5

0.4

cell 1
0.3

cell 2

0.2

0.1

0
0

On x axis: Day
On y axis: Voltage

Variation in voltage with time on 10 th May in Cell No. 1:

Study by Jincheng Wei (2011):

BUDGET ESTIMATE

Multimeter
PVC pipe
M seal
Aeration Pump
4 Containers
2 Graphite rods
2 Zinc rods
Agar and Potassium ferricyanide

Therefore our total budget amounted to Rs 1500 only

APPLICATIONS

Waste treatment

Renewable biomass conversion

Body fluid batteries

Bio-sensors

Sediment electricity

Gastrobot

Use in a microgrid

What is Microgrid?
It is a small-scale power supply network that is
designed to provide power for a small community.
It enables local power generation for local loads.
It comprises of various small power generating
sources that makes it highly flexible and efficient.
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Introduction To Microgrid
It is connected to both the local generating units
and the utility grid thus preventing power
outages.
Excess power can be sold to the utility grid.
Size of the Microgrid may range from housing
estate to municipal regions.

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COMPONENTS OF MICROGRID

Distributed Generation
Loads
Immediate storage
Controller
Point of Common Coupling

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Typical Microgrid is shown

below:

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Pamelo, Indonesia- Village Microgrid

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Microgrid Operating Modes

Grid Connected Mode:

Utility grid is active.
Static switch is closed
All the feeders are being
supplied by utility grid.

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Microgrid Operating Modes

Island Mode:
Utility grid is not supplying power
Static switch is open.
Feeder A, B, C are being supplied
by Microsources.
Feeder D (not sensitive )
is dead.
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The Need Of Microgrid

Microgrid could be the answer to our energy
crisis.
Transmission losses gets highly reduced.
Microgrid results in substantial savings and cuts
emissions without major changes to lifestyles.
Provide high quality and reliable energy supply to
critical loads
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ADVANTAGES OF MFCs
Generation of energy out of biowaste/organic matter .
Direct conversion of substrate energy to electricity .
Sludge production :The amount of electrons diverted
towards the anode and the energy they represent. This
energy (J) can be calculated as E = P x t = V x I x t, with E
energy (J), P power (W), t time (s), V voltage (V) and I
current (A).
Omission of gas treatment
Aeration

CONCLUSIONS

MFCs have not been commonly considered as the energy

supplying ways for the future despite their outstanding
advantages because MFC-based technology is not
sufficiently advanced enough to produce substantial
quantities of energy n a cost effective manner.

If the current trend towards the development of biologically

inspired robotic systems continues, it seems inevitable that
a power source based on natural food consumption will play
an important role.