Award Date
May 2023
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)
Department
Mechanical Engineering
First Committee Member
Yi-Tung Chen
Second Committee Member
Melissa Morris
Third Committee Member
Hui Zhao
Fourth Committee Member
Erica Marti
Number of Pages
95
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are electrochemical devices that utilize microorganisms to convert organic matter into electrical energy. MFCs have been discussed to have potential application for sustainable wastewater treatment due to their ability to generate electricity while simultaneously treating contaminated water. To optimize MFC performance, numerical models can be used to understand the complex electrochemical and biological processes occurring in the system. In this study, a numerical model was developed to simulate the performance of MFCs under varying operating conditions and to investigate the performance of a MFC for treating wastewater fuel. More specifically, the MFC was modeled to oxidize acetate fed through the anode compartment and reduce oxygen fed through the cathode compartment. The results from the numerical model were compared to experimental data obtained from previously studied MFCs, and the model was found to accurately predict the previously studied MFC's performance, with the greatest percent difference between experimental and numerical values being 4.84%. The root mean square error (RMSE) was calculated to be 0.0271. The numerical model can be used to optimize the design and operation of MFCs, as well as to gain insights into the underlying significance of parameters such as temperature and pressure variation in microbial electricity generation. Performance analysis was determined with plotted current-voltage curves and power density curves. Results indicate that MFCs operating typically at higher temperatures and pressures have increased maximum power density. Furthermore, an increase in inlet concentrations of acetate in the anode compartment showed an increase in maximum power density for the MFC. The maximum power density achieved by the MFC when operating in parameters similar to the referenced experimental data was 2.5052 W/m^2. After raising the temperature in the simulation to 312 K (2.97% increase), a value of 2.8418 W/m^2 (13.4% increase) in maximum power density was observed. When only the pressure was increased to 2 atm (100% increase), the maximum power density increased to 2.8397 W/m^2 (13.4% increase). No significant changes to cell voltage or power density were apparent after increasing the oxygen flow rate in the cathode chamber. However, a change in maximum power density was noticeable after changing the acetate flow rate in the anode chamber. Furthermore, when only the inlet concentration of acetate was raised to 2 mol/m^3 (28.2% increase), the maximum power density increased to 3.6259 W/m^2 (76.7% increase).
Keywords
fuel cells; microbial fuel cell; microorganisms; model; simulation; wastewater
Disciplines
Environmental Engineering | Mechanical Engineering | Oil, Gas, and Energy
File Format
Degree Grantor
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Language
English
Repository Citation
Rouhani, David, "A One-Dimensional Analysis of a Microbial Fuel Cell for Efficient Acetate Removal and Power Density Output" (2023). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 4772.
http://dx.doi.org/10.34917/36114797
Rights
IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Included in
Environmental Engineering Commons, Mechanical Engineering Commons, Oil, Gas, and Energy Commons