Grantee Research Project Results
Power Field Monitoring Equipment from Wetland Detritus Materials using Microbial Fuel Cell
EPA Grant Number: SU834703Title: Power Field Monitoring Equipment from Wetland Detritus Materials using Microbial Fuel Cell
Investigators: Chow, Alex , Conner, William
Current Investigators: Chow, Alex , O’Rourke, Elizabeth , Dai, Jianing , Conner, William , Wilson, William
Institution: Clemson University
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: August 15, 2010 through August 14, 2011
Project Amount: $9,994
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2010) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Challenge Area - Air Quality , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
Detritus or organic matter stored in forest / wetland / estuarine ecosystems represents a large potential source of energy. Microbial fuel cells (MFC), which can convert organic wastes into electricity, are a potential tool to harvest this renewable energy to power field equipment in remote areas. Spatial and temporal variations of organic substrate and redox conditions, as well as power output and stability are the major challenges in designing an in-situ MFC system for practical application. The ultimate goal of this study is to design an in-situ MFC system that can produce energy to power field monitoring equipment.
Approach:
Both batch and continuous MFC in controlled laboratory environments will be built to evaluate the effects of quantity and composition of dissolved organic matter, salinity, temperature, depth of soil, and water level on the power output of MFC. In addition, in-situ MFC systems will be installed in a healthy freshwater and a salt-water stressed forested wetlands in Winyah Bay, South Carolina, to examine forest structure, evapotranspiration, seasonal, and tidal factors on the performance of MFC. The stability of voltage, density of current, and internal resistance used will be recorded to analyze the performance of MFC.
Expected Results:
The data from both laboratory and field experiments will provide useful information to assist designing an in-situ MFC system that uses detritus materials to achieve constant and useable electric energy output. The in-situ MFC systems installed in the forested wetlands at Winyah Bay can serve as educational and demonstrational projects to local schools and communities about the concept of sustainability and renewable and alternative energy.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 1 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 1 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
alternative energy source, renewable fuel, waste to energy;Progress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.