Abstract |
Large scale submerged microbial cells (S-MFCs) were evaluated with regard to types of reactors, surface areas of anodes and cathodes and materials of a cathode for improving the power. A settling type (upflow type) showed higher power density than channel type due to the smooth transfer of H+ (proton) and lower internal resistance. At the same surface area ratio of anodes and cathodes (1:1), the power density normalized by the anode surface area (W/㎡) of 1 sheet of an anode (705 cm2) was 5 times higher than that of 4 sheets of anodes (2,820 cm2). Both at the cathode surface areas of 15 cm2 (5×3 cm) and 9 cm2 (3×3 cm), owing to larger contact surface area for the air, a S-MFC which applied 15 cm2 of cathodes showed the improved power density. Also, applying cathodes which use CDI (capacitive deionization) electrode (graphite foil + activated carbon) resulted in higher power density than SUS mesh + expanded graphite + CNT (carbon nano tube) due to the low internal resistance. The results of this study suggest that a cost effective S-MFC could be applied to the large scale of plants with optimum operating condition. |
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Key Words |
Microbial fuel cell, submerged MFC, anode and cathode surface area, maximum power density , MFC reactor type |
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