Scalable Microbial Fuel Cell and Method of Manufacture
First Claim
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1. A microbial fuel cell comprising:
- a cell housing defining first and second chambers, the first chamber being adapted for containing a fluid including a biomass, the second chamber being adapted for containing an oxygenated fluid;
a cathode extending into the cell housing second chamber; and
at least one electrode assembly extending into the cell housing first chamber, each electrode assembly having a plurality of substantially aligned electrically conductive fibers, each of the fibers extending from a first end to a second end and having an outer surface, the electrode assembly includingan anode segment extending from the first end of the fibers to an intermediate region disposed between the first and second ends of the fibers, at least a portion of the outer surfaces of the fibers of the anode segment being adapted for receiving a biofilm, anda bound segment extending from the second end of the fibers to the intermediate region, the outer surfaces of the fibers of the bound segment being impregnated or encased with a binder, an electrically conductive tubular member enveloping the fibers of the bound segment.
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Abstract
A microbial fuel cell includes a cell housing having first and second chambers. The first chamber is adapted for containing a fluid including a biomas. The second chamber is adapted for containing an oxygenated fluid. A cathode extends into the cell housing second chamber. An electrode assembly includes a bound segment and an anode segment extending into the cell housing first chamber. The electrode assembly has multiple, substantially aligned, fibers. The outer surfaces of the fibers of the anode segment are adapted for receiving a biofilm. An electrically conductive tubular member envelops the fibers of the bound segment
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A microbial fuel cell comprising:
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a cell housing defining first and second chambers, the first chamber being adapted for containing a fluid including a biomass, the second chamber being adapted for containing an oxygenated fluid; a cathode extending into the cell housing second chamber; and at least one electrode assembly extending into the cell housing first chamber, each electrode assembly having a plurality of substantially aligned electrically conductive fibers, each of the fibers extending from a first end to a second end and having an outer surface, the electrode assembly including an anode segment extending from the first end of the fibers to an intermediate region disposed between the first and second ends of the fibers, at least a portion of the outer surfaces of the fibers of the anode segment being adapted for receiving a biofilm, and a bound segment extending from the second end of the fibers to the intermediate region, the outer surfaces of the fibers of the bound segment being impregnated or encased with a binder, an electrically conductive tubular member enveloping the fibers of the bound segment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A microbial fuel cell comprising:
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a cell housing defining first and second chambers, the first chamber being adapted for containing a fluid including a biomass, the second chamber being adapted for containing an oxygenated fluid; a cathode extending into the cell housing second chamber; and at least one electrode assembly extending into the cell housing first chamber, each electrode assembly having a plurality of substantially aligned electrically conductive fibers, each of the fibers extending from a first end to a second end and having an outer surface, the electrode assembly including an anode segment extending from the first end of the fibers to an intermediate region disposed between the first and second ends of the fibers, at least a portion of the outer surfaces of the fibers of the anode segment being adapted for receiving a biofilm, and a bound segment extending from the second end of the fibers to the intermediate region, the outer surfaces of the fibers of the bound segment being impregnated or encased with a binder, an electrically conductive tubular member enveloping the fibers of the bound segment, a conductive adhesive being disposed intermediate the fibers and the tubular member; wherein the bound segment and cell housing define a liquid-tight boundary. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification