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Bio-resources Utilization in Fostering a Low-Carbon Renewable Energy–Based Economy
Published in Akinola Rasheed Popoola, Emeka Godfrey Nwoba, James Chukwuma Ogbonna, Charles Oluwaseun Adetunji, Nwadiuto (Diuto) Esiobu, Abdulrazak B. Ibrahim, Benjamin Ewa Ubi, Bioenergy and Environmental Biotechnology for Sustainable Development, 2022
Modupe Stella Ayilara, Oluwaseyi Samuel Olanrewaju, Olu Odeyemi, Mobolaji Adenike Titilawo
Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a device that turns chemical energy from organic substances directly into electrical energy with the aid of microbes. The MFC works by transferring protons by proton exchange and passing electrons from the anode to the cathode, leading to the production of electric energy (Priya and Setty, 2019). The two electrodes are connected by an external circuit that allows the resulting energy utilization. A barrier (proton exchange membrane) exists between the cathodic and anodic chambers, and protons which aid the process are being supplied into the anode chamber. Environmental pollution is prevented by converting the biowaste to MFCs (Gajda et al., 2018). Microbes in the presence of oxygen remove electron while degrading organic materials; the electrons are further transformed to a final receptor, but some other bacteria referred to as “exoelectrogenic bacteria” can transfer electron from organic compound oxidation to other systems which are not within the cell. The exoelectrogenic bacteria are well utilized as catalysts in MFCs (Logan, 2009; Rachinski et al., 2010). In the aerobic compartment containing the cathode, the electron produced reduces the oxygen which combines with the proton to produce water, while in the anode compartment, the electron produced is collected by a graphite cloth (Logan, 2009; Passos et al., 2016).
Electricity Production from Carbon Monoxide and Syngas in a Thermophilic Microbial Fuel Cell
Published in Sonia M. Tiquia-Arashiro, Deepak Pant, Microbial Electrochemical Technologies, 2020
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent a novel technological solution for electricity production from biomass. In its most simple configuration, a microbial fuel cell is a device that uses microorganisms to produce an electrical current. The technology exploits the ability of microorganisms that are capable of extracellular electron transfer to an insoluble electron acceptor, such as an electrode. Logan (2008) defined microorganisms as exoelectrogens because of their capability of exocellular electron transfer. Other researchers described the microorganisms as electrochemically active bacteria (Manish and Banerjee 2008), anode-respiring bacteria (Moon et al. 2004) and electricigens (Logan 2004). The oxidation of organic chemicals by microorganisms liberates both electrons and protons. Electrons are then transferred from microorganisms to the anode and subsequently to the cathode through an electrical network. Simultaneously, protons (electron acceptor) migrating to the cathode combine with electrons and an electron acceptor, such as oxygen, to produce water. The electrical current generated is similar to that in chemical fuel cells; however, in MFCs the microbial catalysts are attached to the anode surface (Franks and Nevin 2010).
Introduction to Renewable Energy
Published in Sergio C. Capareda, Introduction to Renewable Energy Conversions, 2019
One interesting area in the field of fuel cells is the possibility of utilizing microbes for the production of electrical energy, called microbial fuel cells. The extensive work of some pioneers in this field, such as Professor Logan of Penn State University and of some European researchers, has been quite remarkable (McAnulty, et al., 2017). These groups were able to identify certain groups of microbes available in wastewater that have the potential to generate an appreciable amount of electrical power. Their goal is to treat the wastewater while producing electrical power that is more than the energy required to bring down the biological oxygen demand or chemical oxygen demand of wastewater. If these systems can be proven to be economically feasible, it could create a sustainable energy source while reducing environmental pollution.
Microbial fuel cell inoculated with Beni-Messous wastewater and development of electroactive biofilm for powering of the LED light
Published in Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 2020
Azri Yamina Mounia, Tou Insaf, Sadi Meriem, Berrached Abd Essalem
Generally, the microbial fuel cell are bioelectrochemical devices, which convert a large variety of organic and inorganic compounds directly into electricity using bacteria as biocatalysis (Logan. et al. 2005; Potter 1911). During bacteria’s oxidation at the anode, electrons and protons are released. These electrons produced flow through the external load toward cathode surface where they are reduced while protons migrate through the membrane to maintain electrical neutrality. A potential difference is generated between the cathode and the anode thus resulting of electrical power. Electricity generation in MFC, is linked on bacteria transferring electrons outside the cell to the anode trough conductive biofilm matrix (Rosenbaum., He., and Angenent 2010), electron’s transfer can be by electron mediators or shuttles, by membrane-associated electron transfer, or by nanowires bacteria or other transfer mode unknown (Rosenbaum., He., and Angenent 2010). Thus, the application of MFC to wastewater seems to be a promising strategy for treating pollutants and recovering energy.
A state of the art review on electron transfer mechanisms, characteristics, applications and recent advancements in microbial fuel cells technology
Published in Green Chemistry Letters and Reviews, 2020
Ali Nawaz, Atiatul Hafeez, Syed Zaghum Abbas, Ikram ul Haq, Hamid Mukhtar, Mohd Rafatullah
Microbial fuel cells are bio-electrochemical devices in which chemical energy stored in bonds in organic substrate is converted into electrical energy utilizing microorganisms as biocatalysts. In recent years, research in this area has gained considerable momentum. Currently, the main focus is on improving the electrode materials, membranes, and reactor designs to maximize voltage output. Scale-up for real-world implementations is a major obstacle and to resolve this; the general trend is shifted towards reduction in unit size and stacking up of multiple units by employing modularity. These days, cathode assisted with phototrophic microorganism is under limelight to eliminate energy exhaustive mechanical aeration. Concurrent bioremediation and bioelectricity production is an intense research area now a day.
Effects of Ni nanoparticles, MWCNT, and MWCNT/Ni on the power production and the wastewater treatment of a microbial fuel cell
Published in International Journal of Green Energy, 2019
Ramesh Aryal, Diana Beltran, Jia Liu
The necessity of low-energy and cost-effective wastewater treatment has never been greater than this moment of time. Depletion of fossil fuels, water shortage, and environmental pollution have driven the scientific community to look for sustainable wastewater treatment method. At current scenario, wastewater treatment processes are predominantly energy-intensive and require high investment and operating costs. The challenges faced by existing technologies have brought the wastewater industry on the verge of paradigm shift in viewing wastewater as a resource from which energy can be generated rather than waste that needs to be treated. It is estimated that municipal wastewater contains approximately 9.3 times more energy than currently needed for its treatment in a modern municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) (Li, Yu, and He 2014). Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have the potential to be used for converting chemical energy stored in wastewater to electrical energy and yield cost savings (Heidrich, Curtis, and Dolfing 2010; Oh et al. 2010; Pandey et al. 2016).