Multi-effects of gravity and geometric flow channel on the performance of continuous microbial fuel cells

ABSTRACT

Nowadays microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a rapidly evolving field and studied extensively because of their simultaneous dual functions of decomposing organic waste matter and eco-power generation. Now, facing their low power density, multiple effects including various gravity conditions ranging from 0 G to 2 G and three kinds of geometric flow channel (serpentine channel, serpentine tapered channel and bio-mixer channel) in MFCs were studied because of their ability to significantly impact the performance of MFCs.Numerical simulation technology, with its significant lessening of time needed and saving experimental costs required was used in this study. Results show that a better power performance was found at a condition of 0.125 G and Reynolds number Re = 41.3 regardless of flow channel in MFCs. In addition, the bio-mixer channel of the flow channels in MFCs will have a better performance than the other two channels because of its lower pressure drop and higher power generation. These findings will provide useful information on enhancing the performance of MFCs, especially with the application of low gravity conditions in the future.

KEYWORDS:

• Eco-power
• effects of gravity
• flow channel
• microbial fuel cells (MFCs)
• numerical simulation
• organic waste matter

Funding

The authors would like to acknowledge the kind funding support from NSC Taiwan under contract # NSC 102-2622-E-197-006-CC3 and the University of Malaya for the high impact research grant HIR-D000006-16001.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to acknowledge the kind funding support from NSC Taiwan under contract # NSC 102-2622-E-197-006-CC3 and the University of Malaya for the high impact research grant HIR-D000006-16001.