Microbial fuel cell: Working and designing aspects

Abstract

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have been developed as a promising technology for sustainable energy production, with potential utilizations ranging from wastewater treatment to power generation. This chapter provides an overview of MFC technology and its working principles, starting with the background and motivation for using MFCs as a renewable energy source. The chapter then delves into the working principle of MFCs, describing the principal components of an MFC and their functions, along with the different types of MFCs and their design considerations. The microbial community and electrochemically active microorganisms (EAMs) found in MFCs, and their roles in energy production are discussed in detail, along with the factors that affect microbial growth and activity in MFCs. The chapter then moves on to the design considerations for MFCs, including reactor configuration, electrode materials, substrate selection, and the factors that affect MFC performance and efficiency, such as hydraulic retention time, pH, and temperature. Several case studies of successful MFC designs and their performance characteristics are presented in this chapter. Furthermore, it also discusses the contemporary challenges and limitations of MFC technology, along with the potential solutions to overcome these challenges, such as improving EAM selection and designing better reactor configurations. Finally, future directions for MFC research and development are discussed, including potential applications and opportunities for commercialization. To conclude, this chapter delivers a comprehensive overview of the working and design aspects of MFCs, along with the challenges and opportunities in this field, emphasizing the potential of MFCs as a sustainable energy source and the need for continued research and development to realize this potential. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.