Pulse-width modulated external resistance increases the microbial fuel cell power output

J Coronado; M Perrier; B Tartakovsky

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2013.08.005

Pulse-width modulated external resistance increases the microbial fuel cell power output

Bioresour Technol. 2013 Nov:147:65-70. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2013.08.005. Epub 2013 Aug 9.

Authors

J Coronado¹, M Perrier¹, B Tartakovsky²

Affiliations

¹ Departement de Génie Chimique, École Polytechnique Montréal, C.P.6079 Succ., Centre-Ville Montréal, QC H3C 3A7, Canada.
² National Research Council of Canada, 6100 Royalmount Ave., Montréal, QC H4P 2R2, Canada. Electronic address: Boris.Tartakovsky@cnrc-nrc.gc.ca.

PMID: 23989037
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2013.08.005

Abstract

This study describes MFC operation with a pulse-width modulated connection of the external resistor (R-PWM mode) at low and high frequencies. Analysis of the output voltage profiles acquired during R-PWM tests showed the presence of slow and fast dynamic components, which can be described by a simple equivalent circuit model suitable for process control applications. At operating frequencies above 100 Hz a noticeable improvement in MFC performance was observed with the power output increase of 22-43% as compared to MFC operation with a constant external resistance.

Keywords: MFC; Periodic operation; Power output maximization; Pulse-width modulation.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Bioelectric Energy Sources*