Title: Microbial fuel cells for a soil-based green energy conversion system

Authors: K.S. Anand Kumar; Aanchal Singh S. Vardhan; Akanksha Singh S. Vardhan; Sachin Kumar; R.K. Saket; R. Rajendran; Saeid Eslamian

Addresses: Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, UP, India ' Department of Electrical Engineering, Shri G.S. Institute of Technology and Science, Indore, MP, 452003, India ' Department of Electrical Engineering, Shri G.S. Institute of Technology and Science, Indore, MP, 452003, India ' Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, UP, India ' Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, UP, India ' Propulsion Division, CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore, 560017, India ' Department of Water Engineering, Collège of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract: This paper presents technological aspects, operating principle and scientific applications of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) for a soil-based green energy conversion system. MFC provides a likely low cost, a highly efficient and renewable energy-producing alternative to conventional energy resources. Only a few biosensors MFC have been used practically, providing current for low power devices. To further improve the MFC technology, an understanding of the limitations and microbiology of these systems are required. Some researchers are uncovering that the importance of the MFC technology is not only the production of electricity but the ability of electrode associated microbes to degrade wastes and toxic chemicals. This paper provides a platform to explore the possibilities of generating renewable power using biomass and the working principle of the MFC technology with its applications. The soil microbial fuel cell (SMFC) technology is also implemented in the soil for green electricity generation.

Keywords: biocatalyst; biomass; green energy; microbial fuel cell; MFC; organic waste; remote sensors; soil; wastewater.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2021.115491

International Journal of Hydrology Science and Technology, 2021 Vol.11 No.4, pp.439 - 460

Received: 10 May 2019
Accepted: 08 Apr 2020
Published online: 07 Jun 2021 *

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