Novel nutrient extraction to increase power for microbial fuel cells

We present experimental data showing how the power output of a sediment microbial fuel cell (MFC) can be dramatically increased by recirculating a dilute 1% mud solution between a settling tank and anode chamber with and without carbon granules. This enables both greater power output and MFC operation out of the mud. With carbon granules added to the bottom of the 125 ml anode chamber, power outputs of 1.3 mW were achieved with total anode surface areas of 77 cm² (graphite chips) and an anode displaced volume of 31 cc. This equates to a volumetric energy density of 1.2 W per ft³ of anode volume.