A novel stable and robust pilot-scale distributed benthic microbial fuel cell (DBMFC, volume: 100 liter) was developed to address the energy supply issues for oceanographic sensor network applications, especially under scouring and bioturbation by aquatic life, which can be deleterious to the proper functioning of the MFC system to supply stable power. DAMFC utilize anaerobic microrganims and nutrient contained in sediment as anode and oxygen contained in ocean water as cathode. Multi-anode/cathode configuration was employed in the DBMFC system for enhanced robustness and stability in the harsh ocean environment.  The experimental results showed that the DBMFC system achieved a peak power density of 154 mW/m at a total current density of 117 mA/m.  Stability characterization tests indicated the DBMFC with multiple anodes achieved stable and higher power generation over systems with single anode. Furthermore, a computational model that integrated physical, electrochemical and biological factors of MFCs was developed to corroborate the overall performance of the DBMFC system. The model simulation well corresponded with the experimental results, and confirmed the hypothesis that using a multi anode/cathode MFC configuration results in reliable and robust power genearation.

Robust distributed benthic microbial fuel cell (DBMFC) system to harvest electric energy from sediment

246th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.