Overview of Recent Advancements in the Microbial Fuel Cell from Fundamentals to Applications: Design, Major Elements, and Scalability

Sami G. A. Flimban, Iqbal M. I. Ismail, Taeyoung Kim and Sang-Eun Oh
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Sami G. A. Flimban: Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, Gangwon-do, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
Iqbal M. I. Ismail: Center of Excellence in Environmental Studies, Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Taeyoung Kim: Green Energy Institute, 177 Samhyangcheon-ro, Mokpo, Jeollanam-do 58656, Korea
Sang-Eun Oh: Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, Gangwon-do, Chuncheon 24341, Korea

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 17, 1-20

Abstract: Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology offers an alternative means for producing energy from waste products. In this review, several characteristics of MFC technology that make it revolutionary will be highlighted. First, a brief history presents how bioelectrochemical systems have advanced, ultimately describing the development of microbial fuel cells. Second, the focus is shifted to the attributes that enable MFCs to work efficiently. Next, follows the design of various MFC systems in use including their components and how they are assembled, along with an explanation of how they work. Finally, microbial fuel cell designs and types of main configurations used are presented along with the scalability of the technology for proper application. The present review shows importance of design and elements to reduce energy loss for scaling up the MFC system including the type of electrode, shape of the single reactor, electrical connection method, stack direction, and modulation. These aspects precede making economically applicable large-scale MFCs (over 1 m 3 scale) a reality.

Keywords: microbial fuel cell; design; energy generation; scaling up; stack (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (14)

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