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A tubular microbial fuel cell

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Abstract

Cell potential and power performance for tubular microbial fuel cells utilising manure as fuel are reported. The microbial fuel cells do not use a mediator, catalysts or a proton exchange membrane. The cell design has been scaled up to a size of 1.8 m in length using electrodes of 0.4 m2 in area. The cell does not require a strictly controlled anaerobic environment and has potential practical applications when adapted into the form of a helix allowing fuel to flow through it. The cell could be used for power generation in remote applications. The peak power density of the cell is over 3 μW cm −2 (30 mW m−2). The performance can be improved by a more effective design of the interface between the anode and cathode chambers.

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Acknowledgements

Shell Global solutions and EPSRC supported this work through a CASE studentship to C Murano. Research was performed in laboratories facilities provided by an EPSRC-HEFCE JIF award. The support of the European Union for Transfer of Knowledge award (MTKD-CT-2004-517215) for biological fuel cells is acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK

    K. Scott, C. Murano & G. Rimbu

Authors
  1. K. Scott
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  2. C. Murano
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  3. G. Rimbu
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Correspondence to K. Scott.

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Scott, K., Murano, C. & Rimbu, G. A tubular microbial fuel cell . J Appl Electrochem 37, 1063–1068 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-007-9355-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-007-9355-8

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