Enviraj Consulting
Microbial Fuel Cell
| Microbial Fuel Cell | |
|---|---|
| Overview | A microbial fuel cell (MFC), or biological fuel cell, is a bio-electrochemical system that drives an electric current by using bacteria and mimicking bacterial interactions found in nature. MFCs can be grouped into two general categories: mediated and unmediated. The first MFCs, demonstrated in the early 20th century, used a mediator: a chemical that transfers electrons from the bacteria in the cell to the anode. Unmediated MFCs emerged in the 1970s; in this type of MFC the bacteria typically have electrochemically active redox proteins such as cytochromes on their outer membrane that can transfer electrons directly to the anode. In the 21st century MFCs started to find a commercial use in wastewater treatment |
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| How Does it Works | Microbial fuel cells work by allowing bacteria to do what they do best, oxidize and reduce organic molecules. Bacterial respiration is basically one big redox reaction in which electrons are being moved around. Whenever you have moving electrons, the potential exists for harnessing an electromotive force to perform useful work. A MFC consists of an anode and a cathode separated by a cation specific membrane. Microbes at the anode oxidize the organic fuel generating protons which pass through the membrane to the cathode, and electrons which pass through the anode to an external circuit to generate a current. |
| Pollutants Removed | COD, BOD, TSS, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorous, fecal coliforms, Heavy Hetals. |
| Area of Application | Industrial Wastewater, Domestic wastewater. |
| Environmental Footprint | Morderate |
| Area Footprint | Low |
| Treatment cost per Cubic Meter | Unknown |
| Capital Cost | High |
| O&M Cost | Low |
| Data Sources: | - |
