MFCs can work anywhere bacteria live. The main idea is that anywhere microbes live, electrical power is produced as a product of their metabolism. The term microbe includes both aerobic and anaerobic microorganism such as bacteria, fungi and protozoa. MFCs convert chemical energy stored in organic matter directly into electricity by using natural metabolism of those microbes. They are used in low power levels between 0.1 to 10 watts.
As an example, MFC can be used for water treatment. It converts wastewater pollutants into electricity and produces clean water as well as electricity. In fact bacteria consume pollutant and produce electrons. These electrons then flow through a circuit and create electric current. the Australian beer maker Fosters and scientists at the University of Queensland applied MFCs to generate clean energy from brewery wastewater using sugar-consuming bacteria at a brewery near Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. The process yield electric power that is large enough to run the treatment plant and product clean water as byproduct.
Structure of an MFC:
It has a similar structure to a battery and contains anode, cathode and electrolyte. At the anode, fuel is metabolized by microorganisms which generate electrons and protons. Electrons are then transferred to the cathode through an external electrical circuit to be stored. However protons go to cathode via electrolyte and are combined with the oxygen and electrons of water.
Advantages:
- Clean
- Renewable
- Low cost
- Efficient (far above 50%)
- Long life(for over 7 years)
- Autonomous and stable operation
- Minimal maintenance
- Wide range of operating environments from LED lights to sea-floors
- With focus in remote applications and specially Wireless Sensor Networks in industrial and harsh areas
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