Advanced apparatus for generating electrical power from aquatic sediment/water interfaces

• US 8,012,616 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2010
• Issued: 09/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Government Of The United States Of America, As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Tender, Leonard M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kalafut; Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US12/968,547
• Publication Number:
  US 20110104518A1
• Time in Patent Office: 265 Days
• Field of Search: 429/2, 429/47, 429/50, 429/105, 429/118, 429/401, 429/119
• US Class Current: 429/47
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/006 of fuel cells with rechargeable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/00 Fuel cells for particular applications; Specific features of fuel cell system
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/8626 characterised by the form
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/96 Carbon-based electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0234 Carbonaceous material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/16 Biochemical fuel cells, i.e. cells in which microorganisms function as catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

An improved benthic microbial fuel cell for generating energy at the interface of aquatic sediment and seawater includes an anode electrode embedded within the aquatic sediment, a cathode electrode positioned within the seawater and above the aquatic sediment, a rig for maintaining the relative positions of the anode and cathode electrodes, electrical leads extending from the anode and cathode electrodes to a load, wherein the anode electrode comprises a bottlebrush electrode residing within a permeable tube. The apparatus is easier to deploy than previously-described fuel cells, while being lighter, more durable, and generating greater power density. Also disclosed are methods of generating power from such an apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus for generating energy at the interface of aquatic sediment and seawater, the apparatus comprising:

an anode electrode embedded within the aquatic sediment;

a cathode electrode positioned within the seawater and above the aquatic sediment;

a rig for maintaining the relative positions of the anode and cathode electrodes; and

electrical leads extending from the anode and cathode electrodes to a load,

wherein the anode electrode comprises a bottlebrush electrode residing within a permeable tube.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cathode electrode comprises a graphite-fiber bottlebrush electrode.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said permeable tube is slotted or perforated.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said load comprises a battery and optionally a charging circuit.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein said load comprises a sensor and/or a transmitter.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein said load an acoustic sensor.

7. A method of generating power from a voltage gradients at an interface between water and aquatic sediment, the method comprising:

positioning a first electrode in sediment below the interface;

positioning a second electrode in the water over the first electrode; and

connecting electrical leads between the electrodes and a load to create a current between the electrodes,

wherein the first electrode comprises a bottlebrush electrode residing within a permeable tube.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said first electrode comprises a graphite-fiber bottlebrush electrode.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said graphite-fiber bottlebrush electrode is in a compressed state within said permeable tube.