The surface area's effects of proton exchange membran and electrode on power generation in a hexagonal single chamber microbial fuel cell

Abstract

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have been used to produce electricity from different compounds, such as glucose, lactate and acetate. MFCs research has intensified in the past decade and the maximum MFCs power density output has been increased greatly and many types of waste streams have been tested by researchers. Power generation in microbial fuel cells is a function of surface areas of the proton exchange membran (PEM). The possibility of generating electricity with microbial fuel cells has been recognized, but practical applications have been slow to develop. To reduce capital and operational costs, simple and robust membrane-less MFCs reactors are desired, but these reactors require highly efficient biofilms. All currently available MFCs design are for experimental however, these designs are not ecenomic and sustainable. In this research, effect of proton exchange membrane and electrode surface areas on power generation is analyzed for a new design hexagonal chamber microbial fuel cell. Hexagonal chamber microbial fuel cell designed in this study has affordable, scalable, sustainable, high reliability features.