Power performance of phragmites Australis and Egeria densa Plant Microbial Fuel Cells in Wetlands under natural condition

• Main Authors: Wang, Chin-Tsan, Zhang, Fu-Sen, Ong, Raymond Tang Chong, Chong, Wen Tong, Ruan, Zhong-Xin
• Format: Article
• Published: Chinese Soc Mechanical Engineers 2021
• Subjects: TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/28021/

The development of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) has become one of renewable energy research to tackle the issue. Plant Microbial Fuel Cells (PMFC) is a system that utilizes microbial degradation nutrient sources from the wetland, however, current PMFC is not compatible with industrial application due to the lack of understanding regarding the ecology of natural wetland. Therefore, a series of mesoscale PMFC systems were experimented to investigate the plant-implemented PMFC (Phragmites australis and Egeria densa). The study showed that PMFC with Phragmites australis has better electrical stability than Egeria densa, however, Egeria densa generated higher power density at 0.074 W/m(2) than Phragmites australis at 0.068 W/m(2). However, data show that natural weather has a very significant influence on the PMFC performance, pH, and Eh value. These findings of this study could provide a feasibility reference of combining PMFC with the natural wetland system which is beneficial to the eco-environment in the future.