Abstract
Objective
A microbial fuel cell (MFC) has been conceived and constructed for the treatment of the sheep manure wastes and their conversion into clean sustainable renewable energy. The aim of the present investigation was to examine the performance of this bioelectrochemical device, in breaking down the organic matter (pollutant removal) and simultaneously producing electricity. Furthermore, the objective was to enhance the low electric energy by using an adequate amplification system.
Results
So, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal was increased by 58.7% with the MFC running for 10 days. However, this technology faces practical barriers as it produces low electrical energy. A power management system was therefore elaborated in this respect. It included the MFC, operational amplifier (OA), solar photovoltaic panel and a boost DC/DC converter. The low voltage output obtained was thus increased substantially using the OA prior to its polarization by the solar photovoltaic module. The amplified voltage was sufficiently enough and in consequence, utilized to feed a light emitting diode. The low output voltage 0.5 V was simply harvested, successfully boosted up to approximately 2 V (i.e. 4 times higher) and finally harnessed as a power supply.
Conclusions
The MFCs association shows the positive stacking effect successfully, when the cells were connected in parallel. This novel application is very interesting to utilize the natural bioenergy contained in wastes to supply small electronic devices.
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Abbreviations
- MFC:
-
Microbial fuel cell
- DC:
-
Direct current
- LED:
-
Light emitting diode
- ATP:
-
Adenosine triphosphate
- tPMET:
-
Trans plasma membrane electron transport
- ETC:
-
Electron transport chain
- NADH:
-
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrogen
- CG:
-
Carbon graphite
- OA:
-
Operational amplifier
- CEA:
-
Common emitter amplifier
- EA:
-
Electro active
- EPS:
-
Extracellular polymeric substances
- EET:
-
Extracellular electron transfer
- VOC :
-
Open circuit voltage
- Iscc :
-
Short circuit current
- MPP:
-
Maximum power point
- AC:
-
Alternating current
- RedOx:
-
Reduction/oxidation
- SCE:
-
Saturated calomel electrode
- GJ:
-
Grape juice
- COD:
-
Chemical oxygen demand
- SHE:
-
Standard hydrogen electrode
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for financial support. The Directorate General for Scientific Research and Technological Development, is also gratefully acknowledged for provision of necessary logistics. The authors are then indebted to our collaborator Dr. Christophe Innocent from the European Institute of Membranes (France) for providing necessary laboratory materials and useful guidance during the data discussion and analysis. The authors are finally grateful to Drs. Mohamed Amine M. A. Benelmouaz, Lahouaria Annag and Sid Ahmed Beldjilali for their technical assistance during the revision of this paper.
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The authors must disclose any financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence their work.
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The authors would like to thank the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Directorate-General for Scientific Research and Technological Development for financial for short period fellowships.
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Benghernit, M., Kameche, M., Zerhouni, F.Z. et al. The study of the performance of a microbial fuel cell: a progress towards the improvement of low electrical bioenergy output by using an amplification system. Biotechnol Lett 44, 1359–1378 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-022-03304-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-022-03304-4