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Anolyte recirculation effects in buffered and unbuffered single-chamber air-cathode microbial fuel cells
Liang Zhang1, Xun Zhu1, Hiroyuki Kashima2
1Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems, Chongqing University, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 40003, China; Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China.
Bioresource Technology
|December 17, 2014
Summary
Anolyte recirculation in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) impacts performance. Bufferless MFCs (MFC-BL) show improved proton transfer and efficiency with optimal recirculation, unlike buffered MFCs (MFC-B).
Area of Science:
- Microbial Fuel Cells
- Electrochemistry
- Wastewater Treatment
Background:
- Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer a sustainable energy source but face challenges in proton transfer efficiency.
- Anolyte recirculation is a proposed method to enhance performance, yet its effects vary with buffering conditions.
- Understanding these effects is crucial for optimizing MFC design and operation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of anolyte recirculation on proton transfer in buffered (MFC-B) and bufferless (MFC-BL) microbial fuel cells.
- To determine the optimal recirculation rate for enhancing performance in bufferless MFCs.
- To compare the performance metrics (voltage, power density, Coulombic efficiency) between MFC-B and MFC-BL under varying recirculation rates.
Main Methods:
- Two identical MFCs were operated: one buffered (MFC-B) and one bufferless (MFC-BL).
- Anolyte recirculation rates were varied, with a specific focus on a 1.0 ml/min rate for initial comparison.
- Key performance indicators including voltage, maximal power density, batch time, and Coulombic efficiency (CE) were measured.
Main Results:
- At 1.0 ml/min recirculation, MFC-BL exhibited lower voltage and power density but significantly higher Coulombic efficiency (CE) compared to MFC-B.
- In MFC-B, increasing recirculation decreased voltage, batch time, and CE due to excessive oxygen transfer.
- In MFC-BL, low recirculation rates enhanced proton transfer, increasing voltage, batch time, and CE; an optimal rate of 0.35 ml/min was identified.
Conclusions:
- Anolyte recirculation significantly influences MFC performance, with bufferless systems showing greater benefits from optimized rates.
- Bufferless MFCs can achieve enhanced proton transfer and efficiency through controlled anolyte recirculation.
- The optimal recirculation rate is critical and depends on the buffering conditions to balance proton transfer and oxygen ingress.
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