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Power Generation Capabilities of Microbial Fuel Cells with Different Oxygen Supplies in the Cathodic Chamber

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Abstract

Two microbial fuel cells (MFCs) inoculated with activated sludge of a wastewater treatment plant were constructed. Oxygen was provided by mechanical aeration in the cathodic chamber of one MFC, whereas it was obtained by the photosynthesis of algae in the other. Electrogenic capabilities of both MFCs were compared under the same operational conditions. Results showed that the MFC with mechanical aeration in the cathodic chamber displayed higher power output than the one with photosynthesis of algae. Good linear relationship between power density and chemical oxygen demand (COD) loading rate was obtained only on the MFC with mechanical aeration. Furthermore, the relationships between power density and effluent COD and between Coulombic efficiency and COD loading rate can only be expressed as binary quadratic equations for the MFC with mechanical aeration and not for the one with photosynthesis of algae.

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Acknowledgment

The authors would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to the National Science Council (NSC) of Taiwan for the financial support of this research under contract no. NSC-99-2221-E-276-004-.

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  1. Department of Health Business Administration, Meiho University, 23, Ping Guang Road, Neipu, Ping Tung, 912, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Der-Fong Juang, Chao-Hsien Lee, Shu-Chun Hsueh & Huei-Yin Chou

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  1. Der-Fong Juang
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  2. Chao-Hsien Lee
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  3. Shu-Chun Hsueh
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  4. Huei-Yin Chou
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Correspondence to Der-Fong Juang.

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Juang, DF., Lee, CH., Hsueh, SC. et al. Power Generation Capabilities of Microbial Fuel Cells with Different Oxygen Supplies in the Cathodic Chamber. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 167, 714–731 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-012-9708-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-012-9708-6

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