Electricity Generation in a Microbial Fuel Cell: Study of Two Proton Exchange Membrane Diameter

Oji Akuma; Briggs Tobinson; Ighabor U. T

doi:https://doi.org/10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V5N5P148

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Volume 5 | Number 2 | Year 2013 | Article Id. IJETT-V5N5P148 | DOI : https://doi.org/10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V5N5P148

Electricity Generation in a Microbial Fuel Cell: Study of Two Proton Exchange Membrane Diameter

Oji Akuma , Briggs Tobinson , Ighabor U. T

Citation :

Oji Akuma , Briggs Tobinson , Ighabor U. T, "Electricity Generation in a Microbial Fuel Cell: Study of Two Proton Exchange Membrane Diameter," International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT), vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 252-258, 2013. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V5N5P148

Abstract

Dual chamber Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) with saline catholyte was used in this laboratory scale study on the effect of Proton exchange membrane (PEM) diameter on energy output. Two different agar-agar salt-bridges PEM of diameters 1/2inch and 1inch were used in a plastic Microbial fuel cell unit with electrodes manufactured to the same dimensions (area of 1.33×10-2m2). Brewery waste water was used as the substrate, with its microorganism as the biocatalyst. The cells were operated at room temperature and pH of 7.0±0.3. The cells were operated for 21days while the performance was monitored every three days. The set-up of 1/2inch PEM produced the maximum voltage of 47mV between the 13th and the 15th day while the MFC units with a 1inch PEM produce maximum voltage of 57mV between the 19th and the 21day. The over potential in the MFC with 1inch was reduced with large proton transfer space giving the unit a better performance.

Keywords

Microbial fuel cell, proton exchange membrane, charcoal, cement.

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