Benthic Microbial Fuel Cell as Direct Power Source for an Acoustic Modem and Seawater Oxygen/Temperature Sensor System
- 5 May 2011
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Chemical Society (ACS) in Environmental Science & Technology
- Vol. 45 (11), 5047-5053
- https://doi.org/10.1021/es104383q
Abstract
Supported by the natural potential difference between anoxic sediment and oxic seawater, benthic microbial fuel cells (BMFCs) promise to be ideal power sources for certain low-power marine sensors and communication devices. In this study a chambered BMFC with a 0.25 m(2) footprint was used to power an acoustic modem interfaced with an oceanographic sensor that measures dissolved oxygen and temperature. The experiment was conducted in Yaquina Bay, Oregon over 50 days. Several improvements were made in the BMFC design and power management system based on lessons learned from earlier prototypes. The energy was harvested by a dynamic gain charge pump circuit that maintains a desired point on the BMFC's power curve and stores the energy in a 200 F supercapacitor. The system also used an ultralow power microcontroller and quartz clock to read the oxygen/temperature sensor hourly, store data with a time stamp, and perform daily polarizations. Data records were transmitted to the surface by the acoustic modem every 1-5 days after receiving an acoustic prompt from a surface hydrophone. After jump-starting energy production with supplemental macroalgae placed in the BMFC's anode chamber, the average power density of the BMFC adjusted to 44 mW/m(2) of seafloor area which is better than past demonstrations at this site. The highest power density was 158 mW/m(2), and the useful energy produced and stored was ≥ 1.7 times the energy required to operate the system.Keywords
This publication has 32 references indexed in Scilit:
- Harnessing energy from marine productivity using bioelectrochemical systemsCurrent Opinion in Biotechnology, 2010
- Microbial Fuel Cells, A Current ReviewEnergies, 2010
- Energy from algae using microbial fuel cellsBiotechnology & Bioengineering, 2009
- Electricity production and microbial biofilm characterization in cellulose-fed microbial fuel cellsWater Science & Technology, 2008
- Bug juice: harvesting electricity with microorganismsNature Reviews Microbiology, 2006
- Biofuel cells and their developmentBiosensors and Bioelectronics, 2006
- Production of Electricity from Acetate or Butyrate Using a Single-Chamber Microbial Fuel CellEnvironmental Science & Technology, 2004
- Electricity Production byGeobacter sulfurreducensAttached to ElectrodesApplied and Environmental Microbiology, 2003
- Harnessing microbially generated power on the seafloorNature Biotechnology, 2002
- Harvesting Energy from the Marine Sediment−Water InterfaceEnvironmental Science & Technology, 2000