Numerical Modeling of Microbial Fuel Cell Based on Redox Electron Mediator

Yuan Yuan, Jinna Zhang, Hong Huang, Shijie You, Xiaobo Gong,Nanqi Ren

(State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China)



Abstract:

To investigate the behavior of redox electron mediator and its impact to power generation of microbial fuel cell (MFC), this study carries out the numerical modeling of a typical two-chamber MFC based on assumption of interfacial electron transfer via redox electron mediator and acetate as sole electron donor. The model simulates the development of cell voltage, current, substrate concentration, redox electron mediator concentration, polarization and power density output under defined conditions. The results demonstrate that the developed models can fit the experimental results well on a qualitative basis, and concentration of electron reduced mediator plays a dominant role in electron transfer process, and the mass transfer may constitute the limiting step when its concentration is at a relatively low level. This study not only provides a better understanding of electron redox mediator behavior during power generation, but also suggests a strategy to improve electron transfer in the anode of MFC.

Key words:  microbial fuel cell  numerical modeling  redox electron mediator  mass transfer

DOI£º10.11916/j.issn.1005-9113.2015.03.007

Clc Number:X703

Fund: