Register for free to
view the full innovation profile.
Novel design features have pushed the power output to ~14W/m2 while maintaining a cost effective, scalable, and manufacturable design.
About
Background: Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and bioelectrochemical systems (BES) are high-potential technologies that could revolutionise many industrial processes by making available the chemical energy in waste streams. MFCs convert chemical energy, available in a bio-convertible substrate (e.g. wastewater), directly into electricity, hydrogen or other products without the typical carbon emissions. To achieve this, bacteria are used as a catalyst to convert a substrate into electrons, CO2 and water. Problem/issues: Scalability is a key technology challenge for MFCs. Our new technology: The Sustainable Environment Research Centre (SERC) at the University of South Wales have focused on system scale-up and design and have optimised the configuration to increase efficiency and reduce losses. Novel design features have pushed the power output to ~14W/m2 while maintaining a cost effective, scalable, and manufacturable design. The design is fully compatible with many anode and cathode material choices and bacteria, and can adopt new sub-system breakthroughs as they occur. Benefits: Power densities of >30 W/m3 have been achieved An ability to maintain high power densities as the system is scaled up Technology agnostic design Applications: Electricity generation Wastewater treatment (WWT) Hydrogen production and valuable compound generation (e.g. Caustic Soda, Hydrogen Peroxide) Metal / compound recovery and separation Bioremediation Intellectual property: Patent granted Validation test results Demonstrator Specialist technical/proprietary know-how