Microbial fuel cell for in-situ treatment of sediment simultaneous with electricity generation and method of using the same
First Claim
1. A device for in-situ treatment of sediment simultaneous with microbial electricity generation, wherein the device is used as a microbial fuel cell placed in the sediment of a water body, the microbial fuel cell using organics in the sediment as fuels, the device comprises:
- a first insulated tube having at least one perforated section disposed between a closed end and an open end of the insulated tube, the open end allowing for air to flow therethrough, the at least one perforated section including more than two holes extending through the insulated tube;
a membrane cathode being wrapped about the at least one perforated section to form a cathode chamber within the insulated tube, the membrane cathode being in contact with air located within the insulated tube via the more than two holes;
an anode being wrapped about the membrane cathode such that an inner surface of the anode is adjacent to the membrane cathode and an outer surface of the anode is configured for contact within the sediment; and
a second insulated tube having an open end and a cathode chamber formed therein and being interconnected to the first insulated tube via a connecting tube such that the cathode chamber of the first insulated tube is in fluid communication with the cathode chamber of the second insulated tube and such that the open ends of each of the first and second insulated tubes open in a direction away from the connecting tube.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for in-situ treatment of sediment simultaneous with microbial electricity generation is provided, comprising steps of constructing a microbial fuel cell, placing the microbial fuel cell in the sediment, forming a cell circuit, and cultivating microorganisms to generate electrical power. The method overcomes shortcomings found in the prior art and uses organics in the sediment as fuels to in-situ treat the sediment with simultaneous electricity generation. A device for implementing the method is also provided, which can be expanded in different directions as needed and is easy to maintain during long-term operation. The device has many advantages including compact structure, easy operation, low cost, high output power density, significant reduction in sediment COD, no influence on water flow, and environment-friendly.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A device for in-situ treatment of sediment simultaneous with microbial electricity generation, wherein the device is used as a microbial fuel cell placed in the sediment of a water body, the microbial fuel cell using organics in the sediment as fuels, the device comprises:
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a first insulated tube having at least one perforated section disposed between a closed end and an open end of the insulated tube, the open end allowing for air to flow therethrough, the at least one perforated section including more than two holes extending through the insulated tube; a membrane cathode being wrapped about the at least one perforated section to form a cathode chamber within the insulated tube, the membrane cathode being in contact with air located within the insulated tube via the more than two holes; an anode being wrapped about the membrane cathode such that an inner surface of the anode is adjacent to the membrane cathode and an outer surface of the anode is configured for contact within the sediment; and a second insulated tube having an open end and a cathode chamber formed therein and being interconnected to the first insulated tube via a connecting tube such that the cathode chamber of the first insulated tube is in fluid communication with the cathode chamber of the second insulated tube and such that the open ends of each of the first and second insulated tubes open in a direction away from the connecting tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A device for in-situ treatment of sediment simultaneous with microbial electricity generation, wherein the device is used as a microbial fuel cell placed in the sediment of a water body, the microbial fuel cell using organics in the sediment as fuels, the device comprises:
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a connecting tube having a length; and a plurality of fuel cells joined to and extending from the connecting tube at locations along the length of the connecting tube, each of the plurality of fuel cells having an insulated tube, a membrane cathode, and an anode, the insulated tube having an open end allowing for air to flow therethrough and a perforated section defined by a plurality of perforations extending through insulated tube, the membrane cathode being wrapped about the perforated section such that air disposed within the insulated tube contacts the membrane cathode through the plurality of perforations, the anode being wrapped about the membrane cathode such that the membrane cathode is disposed between the anode and insulated tube and such that the anode is exposed to the sediment. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A device for in-situ treatment of sediment simultaneous with microbial electricity generation, wherein the device is used as a microbial fuel cell placed in the sediment of a water body, the microbial fuel cell using organics in the sediment as fuels, the device comprises:
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a plurality of connecting tubes coupled together to form a closed loop; and a plurality of fuel cells joined to and extending from the closed loop, each of the plurality of fuel cells having an insulated tube, a membrane cathode, and an anode, the insulated tube having an open end allowing for air to flow therethrough and a perforated section defined by a plurality of perforations extending through the insulated tube, the membrane cathode being wrapped about the perforated section such that air disposed within the insulated tube contacts the membrane cathode through the plurality of perforations, the anode being wrapped about the membrane cathode such that the membrane cathode is disposed between the anode and insulated tube and such that the anode is exposed to the sediment. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification