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Electricity and catholyte production from ceramic MFCs treating urine
Irene Merino Jimenez1, John Greenman2, Ioannis Ieropoulos1
1Bristol BioEnergy Centre, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England, BS16 1QY, UK.
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
|March 11, 2017
Summary
Thinner ceramic membranes in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) boost power output and catholyte production. This research optimizes MFC design for efficient energy and water recovery from urine.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Environmental Engineering
Background:
- Ceramic membranes are cost-effective materials for microbial fuel cells (MFCs).
- Ceramic MFCs show promise for enhanced power and catholyte generation.
- Catholyte production involves oxygen reduction, water diffusion, and electroosmotic drag.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of ceramic membrane thickness on MFC power output.
- To evaluate the effect of ceramic wall thickness on catholyte production using urine.
- To analyze the relationship between membrane thickness and catholyte composition.
Main Methods:
- Cylindrical MFCs were constructed using fine fire clay membranes of varying thicknesses (2.5, 5, and 10 mm).
- MFC performance was assessed based on power generation and catholyte volume collected.
- Catholyte pH and composition were analyzed in relation to membrane thickness.
Main Results:
- Power generation increased as ceramic membrane thickness decreased, with the 2.5 mm membrane yielding the highest power (2.1 ± 0.19 mW).
- Catholyte volume collected decreased with increasing wall thickness, while pH levels rose.
- Significant variations in catholyte composition were observed based on ceramic membrane thickness.
Conclusions:
- Reducing ceramic membrane thickness in MFCs enhances power generation.
- Ceramic membrane thickness influences catholyte production and quality, offering tunable resource recovery.
- This study opens avenues for water reuse and resource recovery applications using tailored ceramic MFCs.
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