Date of Publication

8-2024

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Chemical Engineering

Subject Categories

Chemical Engineering

College

Gokongwei College of Engineering

Department/Unit

Chemical Engineering

Thesis Advisor

Dr. Cynthia F. Madrazo

Dr. Andres Philip Mayol

Defense Panel Chair

Dr. Allan N. Soriano

Defense Panel Member

Dr. Nathaniel P. Dugos

Dr. Joseph R. Ortenero

Abstract (English)

A microfluidic microbial fuel cell (MMFC) with a biofilm was constructed and simulated using ANSYS Fluent to determine the effects of temperature and flow rate on an MMFC. A histogram of the molar concentration of oxygen along the biofilm showed that there had been transport of oxygen towards the anode along the length of the MMFC. Using the results from the histogram, a maximum power density of 624.564 mW/m2 was calculated for an MMFC at 25 ºC and 10 mL/hr, which was close enough to the 618 mW/m2 of the experimental data. Differences between the two values are due to the assumptions made when modeling the MMFC and the values used in the calculations. The calculated COD removal rate of 1.2481% was also small, which was due to the short residence time inside the MMFC. However, a relationship between the mixing of the feed and oxygen along the MMFC and temperature and flow rate was found after simulating the MMFC at different temperatures and flow rates. Temperature had a negative effect on the MMFC power density due to the increase in oxygen diffusion towards the anode. On the other hand, lower flow rates had significantly more mixing occur compared to higher flow rates, and that higher flow rates decreased oxygen diffusion towards the anode across different temperatures. Lastly, the power densities and COD removal rates of the MMFC at different temperatures and flow rates were taken and the case that could be considered as the best performing is the MMFC running at 25 ºC and 15 mL/hr which had a power density of 682.324 mW/m2 and a COD removal rate of 0.8321%.

Abstract Format

html

Abstract (Filipino)

None

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Microbial fuel cells

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Embargo Period

8-2025

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