Impact/Purpose:

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.

Description:

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.

Record Details:

Record Type:PROJECT( ABSTRACT )

Start Date:08/15/2010

Completion Date:08/14/2011

Record ID: 248934

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Related Organizations:

Role :OWNER

Organization Name :CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

Mailing Address :201 Sikes Hall

Citation :Clemson

State :SC

Zip Code :29634

Project Information:

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.

Cost :$9,994.00

Research Component :Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development

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.

Cost :$9,994.00

Research Component :P3 Challenge Area - Energy

Project IDs:

ID Code :SU834703

Project type :EPA Grant