Source: INTACT LABS, LLC submitted to NRP
MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS FOR ANIMAL MANURE TREATMENT
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
SMALL BUSINESS GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0213670
Grant No.
2008-33610-18937
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
2008-00315
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jun 1, 2008
Project End Date
Jan 31, 2009
Grant Year
2008
Program Code
[8.11]- Animal Waste Management
Recipient Organization
INTACT LABS, LLC
247 THIRD STREET
CAMBRIDGE,MA 02142
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The United States produces over 58 million tons of animal manure every year. These wastes pose a significant risk of environmental damage and human disease if not treated. However, most treatment methods are themselves either energy intensive or environmentally harmful. This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project proposes to optimize and 
commercialize a Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) capable of generating electricity while cleaning animal wastes. Microbial Fuel Cells represent a disruptive option in the waste-to-energy space, promising faster treatment while reversing the energy balance and generating a high-value product in the form of electricity. Proposed Phase I experiments will optimize components in our proprietary architecture in preparation for detailed design and construction of a scaled pilot plant in later commercialization phases.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
4033599202030%
4035370202030%
5115370202040%
Knowledge Area
511 - New and Improved Non-Food Products and Processes; 403 - Waste Disposal, Recycling, and Reuse;

Subject Of Investigation
5370 - Sewage and waste disposal facilities and systems; 3599 - Swine, general/other;

Field Of Science
2020 - Engineering;
Goals / Objectives
The objective of this research is to build and test the Shell and Tube microbial fuel cell architecture with brush-anode and tubular cathodes in order to optimize components within the system and prove feasibility of scaling up the architecture for commercial levels. The end-goal for a Phase II effort will be a scaled up pilot reactor, most likely plug-flow, on the order of 500 to 1000 liters per day. These goals result in the following specific technical objectives in phase I: 1. Experiment 1: Determine Optimum Brush Anode/Tube Cathode Characteristics 2. Experiment 2: Establish feasibility of Plug-flow Architecture 3. Simulation: Establish Efficiency Targets for Optimization; Develop preliminary optimization model for conceptual design
Project Methods
To perform this research IntAct Labs will use standard laboratory experimental methods, combined with simulation experiments. For the batch-mode and plug-flow experiments the methods for measuring and reporting the performance of MFC will be as discussed by Logan, et al. (2006). Because we are primarily concerned with performance issues surrounding MFC scale-up, we will be looking at how MFC efficiency changes with various system dimensions. This will address the characteristic internal resistance of the various MFC assemblies, which will be inferred from fundamental measurements of MFC electrical performance: cell voltage and electrode electric potentials. From these measurements, and the known value of external resistance, we will be able to calculate current and power. Using a multimeter with an external reference electrode and various resistors to manipulate cell voltage will allow the creation of polarization and power curves, which can then be used to determine the current at which the MFC generates maximum power. To obtain a common basis for economic comparison of different MFC assemblies, the power density and Coulombic efficiency will be calculated. Power density will be calculated both based on the anode area and cathode area. Coulombic efficiency will be calculated as described in the literature (Logan, et al, 2006) and will give an indication for how effectively the chemical substrate is being converted into electrical energy. The calculation for Coulombic efficiency requires the measurement of initial and final COD. This and other factors for fertilizer and water quality such as ammonia, total nitrogen, total phosphorous, and potassium will be measured and compared to traditional wastewater treatment processes. These parameters will be measured using the spectrophotometric methods described (Logan, et al, 2006). The growth of the bacteria suspended in the MFC media and attached to the anode will be evaluated using optical density and dry mass. This will be used to calculate the yield of biomass on the substrate as well as to understand the overall energy efficiency of the MFC. In this study we will not attempt to identify the composition of the microbial community. For the batch-mode experiments, all measurements will be taken over time so that the performance under a variety of substrate qualities (COD) can be monitored. Simulation and optimization will be coded in Matlab programming language and, where necessary, using VENsim systems dynamics modeling language. The former will be used for optimization of system variables. The latter can be used to graphically investigate the dependencies of key system drivers.

Progress 06/01/08 to 01/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project had several important products. First two sets of experiments were conducted to evaluate feasibility of the technology. In the first set of experiments 8 batch mode "Shell and Tube" microbial fuel cells were constructed, for the purpose of testing variations in specific parameters. In the second experiment, 4 "Shell and Tube" reactors were constructed and coupled in plug-flow design for the purpose of proving feasibility of plug-flow reactors. Additional outputs included the development of two MATLAB simulations to enable the economic feasibility and detailed design of the "Shell and Tube" microbial fuel cells. Another product was the expected filing of a patent by IntAct Labs based on our findings from experiments and models. Finally, the project had as a product two collaborations - one between IntAct Labs LLC and Krochmal Farms in Tewksbury, MA. The second was a collaboration between IntAct Labs LLC and the Logan Lab at Penn State. An important activity in the project was the analysis of experimental data based on the products developed. This project also resulted in two important events and a set of services. The events were a training session at the Logan Lab to transfer MFC knowledge, and a number of field days at Krochmal Farms in Tewksbury, MA to collect wastewater and evaluate the site. The project also resulted in a service in the form of tutoring for students who were interested in getting involved in the project. PARTICIPANTS: The individuals in this project included the following: Principal Investigator, Matthew Silver (IntAct Labs LLC). Co-Investigator, Justin Buck (IntAct Labs LLC). Senior Consultant Dr. Bruce Logan (Penn State University). Project Engineer, Noah Taylor (IntAct Labs LLC). Fabrication Engineer, Kevin Foley (IntAct Labs LLC). Electrical Engineer, Jamie Yang (IntAct Labs LLC). IntAct collaborated with two Partner Organizations during the project: (1) The Penn State University (Dr. Bruce Logan's lab). (2) Also, IntAct partnered with Krochmal Farms, in Tewksbury, MA to collect samples and evaluate it as a potential field-test site. The project resulted in significant opportunities for training and professional development. First, a technology transfer objective was carried out between IntAct Labs and the Logan Lab in June 2008. This resulted in significant exchange of knowledge about how to design, build and test the relevant systems. Second, IntAct hired a student intern to work on the project, who learned both about the technology development environment and MFCs in particular. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
The Phase I SBIR resulted in some important outcomes/impacts. First, the scientists involved changed their knowledge in several ways. We identified important constraints on the commercialization of microbial fuel cells due to unforeseen manufacturing issues. Experimental data caused a change in knowledge in how best to assemble systems and what materials to use. Modeling tasks resulted in a deeper understand of electrical/chemical constraints associated with building microbial fuel cells. These resulted in a change in knowledge concerning the relevant parameters for fuel cell operation. This change in knowledge, together with other aspects of the project resulted in a change in actions. First, IntAct labs applied published information in a way which had not been accomplished before, resulting in a larger fuel cell than had been previously created. Second, engineers at IntAct learned a number of new skills associated with MFC fabrication and MFC operation at a larger scale than previously published in the literature. Finally, information gained during the Phase I R&D will be used to create new systems with increased performance going forward.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period