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From the lab to the field: Self-stratifying microbial fuel cells stacks directly powering lights

Author

Listed:
  • Walter, Xavier Alexis
  • You, Jiseon
  • Winfield, Jonathan
  • Bajarunas, Ugnius
  • Greenman, John
  • Ieropoulos, Ioannis A.

Abstract

The microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology relies on energy storage and harvesting circuitry to deliver stable power outputs. This increases costs, and for wider deployment into society, these should be kept minimal. The present study reports how a MFC system was developed to continuously power public toilet lighting, with for the first time no energy storage nor harvesting circuitry. Two different stacks, one consisting of 15 and the other 18 membrane-less MFC modules, were operated for 6 days and fuelled by the urine of festival goers at the 2019 Glastonbury Music Festival. The 15-module stack was directly connected to 2 spotlights each comprising 6 LEDs. The 18-module stack was connected to 2 identical LED spotlights but going through 2 LED electronic controller/drivers. Twenty hours after inoculation the stacks were able to directly power the bespoke lighting system. The electrical energy produced by the 15-module stack evolved with usage from ≈280 mW (≈2.650 V at ≈105 mA) at the beginning to ≈860 mW (≈2.750 V at ≈300 mA) by the end of the festival. The electrical energy produced by the LED-driven 18-module stack increased from ≈490 mW at the beginning to ≈680 mW toward the end of the festival. During this period, illumination was above the legal standards for outdoor public areas, with the 15-module stack reaching a maximum of ≈89 Lx at 220 cm. These results demonstrate for the first time that the MFC technology can be deployed as a direct energy source in decentralised area (e.g. refugee camps).

Suggested Citation

  • Walter, Xavier Alexis & You, Jiseon & Winfield, Jonathan & Bajarunas, Ugnius & Greenman, John & Ieropoulos, Ioannis A., 2020. "From the lab to the field: Self-stratifying microbial fuel cells stacks directly powering lights," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 277(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:277:y:2020:i:c:s0306261920310266
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.115514
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Walter, Xavier Alexis & Stinchcombe, Andrew & Greenman, John & Ieropoulos, Ioannis, 2017. "Urine transduction to usable energy: A modular MFC approach for smartphone and remote system charging," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 575-581.
    2. Trapero, Juan R. & Horcajada, Laura & Linares, Jose J. & Lobato, Justo, 2017. "Is microbial fuel cell technology ready? An economic answer towards industrial commercialization," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P1), pages 698-707.
    3. Fischer, Fabian & Sugnaux, Marc & Savy, Cyrille & Hugenin, Gérald, 2018. "Microbial fuel cell stack power to lithium battery stack: Pilot concept for scale up," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C), pages 1633-1644.
    4. Escapa, A. & Mateos, R. & Martínez, E.J. & Blanes, J., 2016. "Microbial electrolysis cells: An emerging technology for wastewater treatment and energy recovery. From laboratory to pilot plant and beyond," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 942-956.
    5. Slate, Anthony J. & Whitehead, Kathryn A. & Brownson, Dale A.C. & Banks, Craig E., 2019. "Microbial fuel cells: An overview of current technology," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 60-81.
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    Cited by:

    1. de Ramón-Fernández, A. & Salar-García, M.J. & Ruiz Fernández, D. & Greenman, J. & Ieropoulos, I.A., 2020. "Evaluation of artificial neural network algorithms for predicting the effect of the urine flow rate on the power performance of microbial fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
    2. Theofilos Kamperidis & Asimina Tremouli & Gerasimos Lyberatos, 2023. "Architecture Optimization of a Single-Chamber Air-Cathode MFC by Increasing the Number of Cathode Electrodes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-12, August.
    3. Kamali, Mohammadreza & Guo, Yutong & Aminabhavi, Tejraj M. & Abbassi, Rouzbeh & Dewil, Raf & Appels, Lise, 2023. "Pathway towards the commercialization of sustainable microbial fuel cell-based wastewater treatment technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).

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