ABSTRACT
A chemical fuel cell is an electrochemical device that produces electrical energy from any fuel such as hydrogen, methane, propane, methanol, etc., using oxygen or an oxidizing agent. Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is one type of fuel cell, where the conversion of the chemical energy from the fuel to electrical energy is achieved by the catalytic action of microorganisms. A typical MFC is shown schematically in Fig. 4.1. It consists of anodic and cathodic compartments separated by a proton exchange membrane (PEM). Bacteria in the anodic chamber oxidize organic matter and transfer electrons to the cathode through an external circuit producing current. Protons diffuse through the solution across the PEM to the cathode where they combine with oxygen and electrons to form water. Unlike chemical fuel cells, MFCs operate under ambient operational temperature and pressure, also at neutral pH.
