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Continuous microbial fuel cell using a photoautotrophic cathode and a fermentative anode
Author(s) -
Mitra Pranabendu,
Hill Gordon A.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the canadian journal of chemical engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.404
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1939-019X
pISSN - 0008-4034
DOI - 10.1002/cjce.20605
Subject(s) - anode , microbial fuel cell , cathode , electrode , materials science , internal resistance , open circuit voltage , power density , voltage , chlorella vulgaris , maximum power principle , chlorella , analytical chemistry (journal) , optoelectronics , chemical engineering , electrical engineering , chemistry , power (physics) , chromatography , botany , biology , algae , physics , engineering , thermodynamics , battery (electricity)
A complete microbial fuel cell (MFC) operating under continuous flow conditions and using Chlorella vulgaris at the cathode and Saccharomyces cerevisiae at the anode was investigated for the production of electricity. The MFC was loaded with different resistances to characterise its power capabilities and voltage dynamics. A cell recycle system was also introduced to the cathode to observe the effect of microalgae cell density on steady‐state power production and dynamic voltage profiles. At the maximum microalgae cell density of 2140 mg/L, a maximum power level of 0.6 mW/m 2 of electrode surface area was achieved. The voltage difference between the cathode and anode decreased as the resistance decreased within the closed circuit, with a maximum open circuit voltage (infinite resistance) of 220 mV. The highest current flow of 1.0 mA/m 2 of electrode surface area was achieved at an applied resistance of 250 Ω.