TY  - JOUR
AU  - Salvin, P.
AU  - Ondel, O.
AU  - Roos, C.
AU  - Robert, F.
PY  - 2015//
TI  - Energy harvest with mangrove benthic microbial fuel cells
T2  - Int J Energy Res
JO  - International Journal of Energy Research
SP  - 543
EP  - 556
VL  - 39
IS  - 4
KW  - Balancing circuit
KW  - Benthic microbial fuel cell
KW  - Efficiency
KW  - Energy harvesting
N2  - Benthic microbial fuel cells (BMFCs) are continuous electricity generators using electroactive microorganisms and organic matter from aquatic environment, respectively, as catalysts and substrate. In this paper, first a low-cost PVC-made structure is constructed to harvest electricity from mangrove environment located in French Guiana. An in situ BMFC has given power density of 30mW/m2 of the anodic surface area. This performance has been confirmed by experience in laboratory where inter-electrode distance and electrode surface area appeared to be power increasing factors. However, the output power of one BMFC is not used to supply real devices such as autonomous sensors. Second, to meet this expectation, in parallel and in series associations were considered. These associations were made in order to increase the output voltage and consequently the power, to reach levels that can supply small sensors (about 3V). Finally, to improve the performance of the series association and to avoid the voltage reversal phenomenon, a voltage balancing circuit was simulated and added to the series connections. With balancing method, the cell voltage of BMFCs can be equalized, and the performances can be improved. This allows an optimal energy harvesting and a better global efficiency of the set.
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/er.3270
N1  - Export Date: 17 March 2015
ID  - Salvin_etal2015
ER  -