Influence of operational parameters on the performance of microbial fuel cells

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is an encouraging technique for the generation of energy via oxidation of organic substrates and is applicable for wastewater treatment. In order to attain desirable performance, it is necessary to study various parameters affecting the efficiency of MFC. The various factors associated with the performance of MFCs are material of cathode and anode, configuration of MFCs, types of separators employed for efficient transfer of protons in between the chambers, types of substrates and inoculum applied, and operational parameters like temperature and pH. The disadvantages associated with MFCs are yet to be solved in order to obtain satisfactory results like maximum energy density, since the efficiency of MFCs is influenced by problems related to irreversible processes that occur both in anode and cathode compartments. Hence, extensive research is being conducted to scale up the performance of MFCs and to develop cost-effective designs with minimum energy input and high magnitude of power output. Some of the factors affecting the functioning and efficiency of MFCs are reviewed in the current chapter.