EM waves-based microbial fuel cells integrated to improve performance

Chin-Tsan Wang, Pushparaj Pal and Xin-Chang Wang

Applied Energy, 2025, vol. 377, issue PA, No S0306261924017951

Abstract: MFC plays an essential role in electricity generation using wastewater. The available microbes sometimes do not have sufficient energy to show the remarkable performance measured current and power density. We used SolidWorks to apply the electromagnetic wave effect to the designed double-tank MFC system to overcome these issues. One tank held wastewater and the other had a potassium hydride solution. We used 5 cm × 5 cm carbon cloth squares and 7.5 cm × 9 cm Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) films. The carbon cloth was treated with hydrogen peroxide and heated to 90 °C–100 °C for 3 h. The PEM films were boiled in hydrogen peroxide at 75 °C for two hours and then soaked in sulfuric acid. We used a DC power supply to control the current output through a coil. This paper adjusted the magnetic field strength with a 200-turn copper coil and tested magnetic field strengths from 0mT to 3mT. Electromagnetic (EM) waves can significantly impact the MFC performances, influencing microorganisms' activity. The different magnetic field intensities of 0mT (control), 0.5mT, 1mT, 1.5mT, 2mT, 2.5mT, and 3mT (highest) have been applied to the MFC. The result shows that the optimal performance of MFCs increased with the highest current density of 0.88 mA/m2 at 2mT and a maximum power density of 0.125 mW/m2 at 3mT. We also found a limitation for magnetic intensity at 2mT for current density. It has been concluded that the highest current density at 2mT, power density, and pollutant degradation of 98 % at 3mT were observed during the study. This work is beneficial in improving the EM-MFC for sustainable power generation and pollutant degradation to make the environment sustainable.

Keywords: Microbial fuel cells; Microorganisms; Power; Electromagnetic; Pollutant degradation; Wastewater; EM-MFC (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.124412

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