Materials and configurations for scalable microbial fuel cells
First Claim
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1. A microbial fuel cell, comprising:
- an electrode module, comprising a cathode having a longest dimension, the cathode comprising a membrane, the membrane forming a cathode wall generally enclosing and defining an interior space, the cathode wall having an internal surface adjacent the interior space and an opposed external surface, the wall extending between a first end and a second end; and
an anode disposed in the interior space fowled by the cathode wall, the anode having a longest dimension and an anode surface area greater than 100 m2/m3, the anode substantially non-toxic to anodophilic bacteria; and
an electrically conductive connector connecting the anode and the cathode, wherein the anode and cathode are positionable such that the longest dimension of the anode is at an angle in the range between 0 and 180 degrees with respect to the longest dimension of the cathode, and wherein the ratio of the anode surface area to the cathode surface area is in the range of 1.5;
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Abstract
Devices for production of electricity and/or hydrogen gas are provided by the present invention. In particular, microbial fuel cells for production of electricity and modified microbial fuel cells for production of hydrogen are detailed. A tube cathode is provided which includes a membrane forming a general tube shape. An anode is provided which has a specific surface area greater than 100 m2/m3. In addition, the anode is substantially non-toxic to anodophilic bacteria. Combinations of particular anodes and cathodes are included in microbial fuel cells and modified microbial fuel cells.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A microbial fuel cell, comprising:
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an electrode module, comprising a cathode having a longest dimension, the cathode comprising a membrane, the membrane forming a cathode wall generally enclosing and defining an interior space, the cathode wall having an internal surface adjacent the interior space and an opposed external surface, the wall extending between a first end and a second end; and
an anode disposed in the interior space fowled by the cathode wall, the anode having a longest dimension and an anode surface area greater than 100 m2/m3, the anode substantially non-toxic to anodophilic bacteria; andan electrically conductive connector connecting the anode and the cathode, wherein the anode and cathode are positionable such that the longest dimension of the anode is at an angle in the range between 0 and 180 degrees with respect to the longest dimension of the cathode, and wherein the ratio of the anode surface area to the cathode surface area is in the range of 1.5;
1-1000;
1. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A microbial fuel cell, comprising:
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an anode having a specific surface area greater than 100 m2/m3, the anode substantially non-toxic to anodophilic bacteria; a cathode comprising a membrane, the membrane forming a cathode wall generally enclosing and defining an interior space, the anode disposed in the interior space; and an electrically conductive connector connecting the anode and the cathode. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A microbial fuel cell, comprising:
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an anode having a specific surface area greater than 100 m2/m3 and a porosity of 90% or greater, wherein the anode is substantially non-toxic to anodophilic bacteria; a cathode comprising a polyolefin-containing membrane, the membrane forming a cathode wall generally enclosing and defining an interior space, the anode disposed in the interior space; and an electrically conductive connector connecting the anode and the cathode.
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Specification