Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Microbial Fuel Cell: A Synergistic Flow Approach for Energy Power Generation and Wastewater Treatment

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Advances in Sustainable Polymers

Part of the book series: Materials Horizons: From Nature to Nanomaterials ((MHFNN))

Abstract

Researchers have made momentous and significant efforts to discover sustainable and alternative energy sources owing to increase the apprehensions over energy crisis, environmental pollution, and climate change. In this regards, microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are major bioelectrochemical reactors for wastewater treatment and bioenergy production. They are friendly and sustainable to the environment and are considered as a novel application for maintaining the sustainability of the ecosystems. The following book chapter will be dealing with various successful research contributions by the team of Professor Chin Tsan Wang. An in-depth understanding of the flow parameters and their incorporation in MFCs has fascinated the researchers in our group for almost a decade. The integration of main technologies including hydrodynamics and microfluidics with MFCs have been explained in detail. Further, some innovative approaches of incorporating flow channels, micromixers, and flow straighteners into MFCs with the solitary objective of enhancing their power and wastewater treatment has also been elucidated. As far as our knowledge is concerned, flow characteristics have been less studied in MFCs, and we therefore consider that our novel attempts might contribute to widening the knowledge of such integrated technologies. Thus, based on the above-mentioned details we are determined that this book chapter will contribute to feasible and useful new concepts to the experts and provide interesting facts to the readers. This will eventually improve the future applications of MFCs in alternative energy production and wastewater treatment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Wang CT, Sangeetha T, Zhao F, Garg A, Chang CT, Wang CH (2018) Sludge selection on the performance of sediment microbial fuel cells. Int J Energ Res 42:4250–4255. https://doi.org/10.1002/er.4168

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Lan TH, Wang CT, Sangeetha T, Yang YC, Garg A (2018) Constructed mathematical model for nanowire electron transfer in microbial fuel cells. J Power Sources 402:483–488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2018.09.074

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Zhao N, Jiang Y, Alvarado-Morales M, Treu L, Angelidaki I, Zhang Y (2018) Electricity generation and microbial communities in microbial fuel cell powered by macroalgal biomass. Bioelectrochemistry 123:145–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioelechem.2018.05.002

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Shaw CK, Wang CT, Huang RY (2010) Optimization of flow in microbial fuel cells: an investigation into promoting micro-channel effectiveness. 國立宜蘭大學工程學刊 6:1–7. https://doi.org/10.6176/BCE.2010.06.11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Wang CT, Hu YC, Hu TY (2009) Biophysical micromixer. Sensors 9:5379–5389. https://doi.org/10.3390/s90705379

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Wang CT, Qi ZQ, Fang SJ (2011) Design of convergent flow channel applied to sediment microbial fuel cells. Asia-Pac Power Energy Eng Conf IEEE 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1109/appeec.2011.5749147

  7. Wang CT, Ming YC, Sheng CZ, Shuai T (2011) Effect of biometric flow channel on the power generation at different Reynolds numbers in the single chamber of rumen microbial fuel cells (RMFCs). Int J Hydrog Energy 36:9242–9251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2011.04.208

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Wang CT, Yang CM, Yang YC (2012) Rumen microbial fuel cells. Microb Biotechnol Energ Environ 78–96

    Google Scholar 

  9. Wang CT, Shaw CK, Hu TY (2011) Optimization of flow in microbial fuel cells: an investigation into promoting micro-mixer efficiency with obstacle. J Appl Sci Eng 14:25–31. https://doi.org/10.6180/jase.2011.14.1.04

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Qi ZQ, Fan SJ, Wang CT, Hu ZY (2012) Mixing effect of biometric flow channel in microbial fuel cells. Appl Energy 100:106–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2012.03.026

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Wang CT, Chang CT, Hu TY, Leu TS (2011) Unsteady flow mixing effect in bionic micro-flow channel. Int J Chem React Eng 1:1–17. https://doi.org/10.1515/1542-6580.2504

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Wang CT, Chen YM, Qi ZQ, Wang YT, Yang YC (2014) Types of simplified flow channels without flow obstacles in microbial fuel cells. Int J Hydrog Energy 39:14306–14311. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.04.095

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Wang CT (2014) Flow control in microbial fuel cells. In: Technology and application of microbial fuel cells, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.5772/58346

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  14. Lan TH, Wang CT, Yang YC, Wen-Tong C (2016) Multi-effects of gravity and geometric flow channel on the performance of continuous microbial fuel cells. Int J Green Energy 13:1483–1489. https://doi.org/10.1080/15435075.2016.1206012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Wang CT, Chen YM, Chen SS (2016) Heart-Like Micro-Flow Mixer. Int J Chem React Eng 14:343–349. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijcre-2014-0181

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Wang CT, Lee YC, Ou YT, Yang YC, Chong WT, Sangeetha T, Yan WM (2017) Exposing effect of comb-type cathode electrode on the performance of sediment microbial fuel cells. Appl Energy 15:620–625. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.07.079

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Wang CT, Ou YT, Wu BX, Thangavel S, Hong SW, Chung WT, Yan WM (2017) A modified serpentine flow slab for in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs). Energ Procedia 142:667–673. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2017.12.110

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Chen YM, Wang CT, Yang YC (2018) Effect of wall boundary layer thickness on power performance of a recirculation microbial fuel cell. Energies 11:1003. https://doi.org/10.3390/en11041003

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Wang CT, Huang YS, Sangeetha T, Yan WM (2018) Assessment of recirculation batch mode operation in bufferless Bio-cathode Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs). Appl Energy 209:120–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.10.074

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Wang CT, Huang YS, Sangeetha T, Chen YM, Chong WT, Ong HC, Zhao F, Yan WM (2018) Novel bufferless photosynthetic microbial fuel cell (PMFCs) for enhanced electrochemical performance. Bioresour Technol 255:83–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2018.01.086

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Li X, Sabir I (2005) Review of bipolar plates in PEM fuel cells: flow-field designs. Int J Hydrog Energy 30:359–371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2004.09.019

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Chiao M, Lam KB, Lin L (2006) Micromachined microbial and photosynthetic fuel cells. J Micromech Microeng 16:2547. https://doi.org/10.1088/0960-1317/16/12/005

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Seo Y (2013) Effect of hydraulic diameter of flow straighteners on turbulence intensity in square wind tunnel. HVAC&R Res 19:141–147. https://doi.org/10.1080/10789669.2012.749133

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Ketep SF, Bergel A, Bertrand M, Achouak W, Fourest E (2013) Lowering the applied potential during successive scratching/re-inoculation improves the performance of microbial anodes for microbial fuel cells. Bioresour Technol 127:448–455. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2012.09.008

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Sangeetha T, Guo Z, Liu W, Gao L, Wang L, Cui M, Chen C, Wang A (2018) Energy recovery evaluation in an up flow microbial electrolysis coupled anaerobic digestion (ME-AD) reactor: role of electrode positions and hydraulic retention times. Appl Energy 206:1214–1224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.10.026

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Picioreanu C, van Loosdrecht MC, Curtis TP, Scott K (2010) Model based evaluation of the effect of pH and electrode geometry on microbial fuel cell performance. Bioelectrochemistry 78:8–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioelechem.2009.04.009

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors of this book chapter would like to acknowledge the generous funding support from NSC (National Science Council) Taiwan under the MOST (Ministry of Science and Technology) project numbers MOST 107-2622-E-197-006-CC3, 106-2218-E-027-014-MY2 and 106-2923-E-197-001-MY3 for this research study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical and Electro-Mechanical Engineering, National Ilan University, Yilan City, Taiwan

    Chin-Tsan Wang

  2. Department of Energy and Refrigerating Air-Conditioning Engineering, Research Center of Energy Conservation for New Generation of Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Sectors, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, 10608, Taiwan

    Thangavel Sangeetha

Authors
  1. Chin-Tsan Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Thangavel Sangeetha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chin-Tsan Wang .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India

    Vimal Katiyar

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India

    Raghvendra Gupta

  3. Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India

    Tabli Ghosh

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Wang, CT., Sangeetha, T. (2019). Microbial Fuel Cell: A Synergistic Flow Approach for Energy Power Generation and Wastewater Treatment. In: Katiyar, V., Gupta, R., Ghosh, T. (eds) Advances in Sustainable Polymers. Materials Horizons: From Nature to Nanomaterials. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9804-0_14

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation