Effect of microbial growth on internal resistances in MFC: A case study

Abstract

Exoelectrogens are widely used in Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) for renewable energy generation. In the present study, we used four such microorganisms, named as BR, MS, NiR and SW for generation of bioelectricity. The growth cycle of all microbes had a distinct pattern, which had a parallel relation with their current production trend. Through this study, we concluded that the charge transfer resistance is directly co-related with growth phases of the microbial culture. Different microbial cultures affect the internal resistances at different time intervals. The resistances are also affected by the biofilm forming and/or mediator secreting capacity of individual microbial culture. When subjected for a longer fed-batch condition, microbial culture BR produced 670.09 folds more power density than MS, 170.84 folds more power density than NiR and 110.86 folds more power density than SW.