ABSTRACT
The microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a bioreactor which converts chemical energy, stored in bio-convertible substrates, directly into electricity by the action of specific micro-organisms. These micro-organisms facilitate the conversion of the substrates directly into electrons. The electrons released as a result of this reaction are collected to maintain production of electrical energy, thereby proving to be an efficient source of sustainable energy production. This energy production is a result of the oxidation of organic sources by anaerobic digestion, which involves the production of bioelectricity. MFC is an incredible technology, with the capability to use bacteria to digest a wide range of substrates, configurations, and materials, to generate bioelectricity, despite the fact that power levels are low. The two most significant parameters involved in MFC technology are power density and coulumbic efficiency. These parameters are preferred for sustainable long-term power uses. Although the efficiency of MFC in electric power generation had been low in initial research, recent modifications have augmented the electric power output for various applications. Therefore, this chapter mainly reveals discussion on the potential of MFC power generation systems, which are capable of harnessing electric power with improved power quality levels.
