Viability Study of the Use of Cast Iron Open Cell Foam as Microbial Fuel Cell Electrodes

• Nowadays, the development of new green technologies has been promoted worldwide both by public andprivate institutions. In this context the research on microbial fuel cells (MFC) represents a promisingalternative to carbon based energy sources. Unfortunately, this technology has been always affected by too lowcurrent density output for allowing an intensive application in the industrial and civil field. The study dealswith this limitation and focuses on the implementation of metallic sponges, specifically cast iron based, aselectrodes, aiming at increasing the exposed surface and thus the current density at the MFC anode. Cast ironwas selected because of its low toxicity for the microorganisms, however its high melting point carries severalproblems for the manufacture process. Parallel to this, the realization of electrodes using foamed metals impliesfurther issues related to the generation of correct pore size distribution and adequate bacterial activity. Forinstance, the metal foams are expected to be open-cell type, so that there can be an efficientmass transport alsoto the inner regions of the electrode. In order to control these parameters the metal sponges are produced byinfiltration of cast iron on ceramic beds. Combining previous data with themeasurements of power generationefficiency the authors conclude the study attempting to design MFCs with metal foamed electrodes.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Industriell bioteknik -- Bioenergi (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Industrial Biotechnology -- Bioenergy (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Materialteknik -- Metallurgi och metalliska material (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Materials Engineering -- Metallurgy and Metallic Materials (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)