Ameer Randolph
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have been a topic of interest for researchers for decades due to their potential to address environmental problems and generate power by treating organic waste. Despite their promise, MFCs have struggled to gain widespread use due to their high costs and low power generation. The cost of trialling an MFC in the field is over $1500 per cell, and the energy produced has not been enough to offset the energy consumption of pumps and other equipment. However, recent developments in catalyst materials and the use of cheaper alternatives for electrodes and membranes could significantly reduce the cost of MFCs and make them more accessible for large-scale applications.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost of Platinum | 60% of the investment in making microbial fuel cells |
| Cost of a single microbial fuel cell | Over $1500 |
| Cost of cheaper alternatives | Carbon brushes and rods for electrodes, and CMI-7000 instead of Nafion membranes |
| Cost of nitrogen-enriched iron-carbon nanorods | 5% of the cost of platinum |
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What You'll Learn
The high cost of platinum
Secondly, platinum is denser and heavier than gold, especially when compared to alloyed gold. This higher density means that a piece of platinum jewellery will contain more molecules of metal and, therefore, be more expensive by volume. For example, platinum is 1.64 times heavier than 14-karat gold, making it more costly despite a lower price per ounce.
Additionally, platinum is more challenging to work with and requires specialised craftsmanship. It takes a longer time to weld platinum, and the mining process is more complex and costly. Platinum mining can take five to seven months, requiring up to ten tons of ore to yield one ounce of platinum. The production cost of one ounce of platinum is about $1,800, almost double the maximum production cost of gold at $957 per ounce.
The demand for platinum also influences its price. Platinum is widely recognised as a symbol of quality and value, and it is used in various industries, including jewellery, automotive (car sparkers), and chemistry (ammonia production). High demand, especially during uncertain economic times, can drive up the price of platinum.
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Cost-effective alternatives
The microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuels, with applications in energy production, waste management, and biomass valorization. However, the MFC system has its limitations, including low power generation efficiency, operational stability, and substantial financial limitations due to high costs.
The following are some cost-effective alternatives and methods to reduce the cost of MFCs:
Inexpensive Materials
Using inexpensive materials with less-than-ideal properties can be a more cost-effective option than high-cost, high-performing materials. For instance, hard felt and carbon foam anodes were found to have a higher power output to electrode cost ratio than the standard graphite brush anode, despite producing less power.
Catalysts
Catalysts can also play a significant role in reducing costs. Platinum is currently used as a catalyst in MFCs, but it contributes to over 60% of the investment cost. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have developed nitrogen-enriched iron-carbon nanorods that provide the same level of efficiency as platinum catalysts but at a much lower cost. This discovery could lead to more affordable energy conversion and storage devices.
Architectural Adaptations
The design of MFCs can also impact their cost-effectiveness. For example, the Sediment Microbial Fuel Cell (SMFC) is a cost-effective design that uses a copper wire to complete the circuit, with the anode placed in the sediment and the cathode on the waterside. However, this design does not provide wastewater treatment due to its internal resistance.
Glass Instead of Proton Exchange Membranes (PEMs)
In a constructed wetland MFC, using glass instead of PEMs is a cost-effective alternative, as reported by Wang et al. in 2020.
Photosynthetic MFCs (PMFCs)
PMFCs employ bacteria that produce electricity from solar energy, using microalgae in the anode chamber. This design is comparable to the double-chamber design in terms of power generation and cost-effectiveness.
Parallel-Stacked MFCs (PSMFCs)
PSMFCs are another configuration where anodes and cathodes are connected in parallel to produce a high current. This design was found to be more cost-effective than series stacking, which produces a high voltage.
These cost-effective alternatives and advancements in MFC technology aim to improve the financial viability of MFC systems, making them more accessible and competitive with traditional energy sources.
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Cost of trialling microbial fuel cells
The cost of trialling microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is a major limitation to their widespread use. MFCs are bio-electrical devices that harness the natural metabolisms of microbes to produce electrical power. While MFCs have been in development for decades, they have struggled to exit the laboratory due to their inherently low power generation and high costs.
The main cost drivers in MFCs are Nafion membranes, Pt (platinum) catalysts, and carbon plain electrodes. However, cheaper alternatives are available, such as carbon brushes and rods for electrodes, and cost-effective options like CMI-7000 instead of Nafion membranes. Nevertheless, the cost to trial MFCs in the field can be over $1500 per cell, a significant expense.
The development of low-cost materials and more efficient systems with higher power outputs and durability is crucial to the application of MFCs on an industrial or large scale. MFCs have promising applications in treating organic waste in municipal wastewater or industrial effluents while generating power, which could reduce waste disposal costs and increase company profits. However, attempts to apply MFCs on a large scale have not been successful so far due to their lower performance and high costs.
Recent developments in catalyst materials may help to bring down the cost of MFCs. For example, engineers at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have identified a catalyst made from nitrogen-enriched iron-carbon nanorods that provides the same level of efficiency as platinum catalysts but at a mere 5% of the cost. This discovery could lead to much more affordable energy conversion and storage devices, as platinum accounts for more than 60% of the investment in MFCs.
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Cost of ancillary equipment
The cost of ancillary equipment is a significant factor in the overall expense of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). At the pilot scale, the energy produced by MFCs has not been sufficient to offset the energy consumption of their pumps and other ancillary equipment. This highlights the challenge of achieving a positive energy balance with MFCs, especially when competing with other cheaper sources of power.
The development of low-cost materials and more efficient systems is crucial to improving the feasibility of MFCs. For instance, platinum is a commonly used catalyst in MFCs, contributing to a significant proportion of the investment cost. However, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have identified an alternative catalyst, nitrogen-enriched iron-carbon nanorods, which offers comparable efficiency at a mere 5% of the cost of platinum. This discovery could significantly reduce the overall cost of MFCs, making them more affordable for energy conversion and storage applications.
In addition to catalysts, other ancillary equipment such as electrodes and membranes also impact the cost of MFCs. Carbon plain electrodes and Nafion membranes have been identified as cost drivers, but cheaper alternatives like carbon brushes, rods, and cost-effective membrane options are available. These alternatives can help reduce the overall cost of MFC systems, making them more accessible and competitive in the market.
The cost of ancillary equipment for MFCs also extends to the maintenance and replacement of parts. While MFCs offer the potential to treat wastewater and generate power, their performance and durability must be considered. Inevitably, some parts will need to be replaced over time, and the availability and affordability of replacement parts will influence the overall cost of ownership. Therefore, the development of more durable and cost-effective ancillary equipment is essential to reducing the long-term costs associated with MFCs.
Overall, the cost of ancillary equipment plays a pivotal role in the economics of MFCs. By addressing the costs associated with catalysts, electrodes, membranes, and maintenance, researchers and manufacturers can work towards making MFCs more affordable and competitive in the energy market. Lowering the cost of ancillary equipment will help MFCs gain traction and become a more viable solution for wastewater treatment and energy generation.
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Cost of low power generation
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are bio-electrical devices that harness the natural metabolisms of microbes to produce electrical power. MFCs have been in development for decades, but they have struggled to exit the laboratory and see widespread use due to their inherently low power generation.
The low power generation of MFCs has been a significant challenge for their commercialisation and large-scale application. At the pilot scale, no MFC has produced enough energy to offset the energy consumption of its supporting equipment, such as pumps. As a result, the power generated by MFCs must compete with other, often cheaper, sources of energy.
The high cost of MFCs is another barrier to their widespread adoption. The materials used in MFC construction, such as Nafion membranes, Pt catalysts, and carbon plain electrodes, contribute significantly to their overall expense. For example, platinum catalysts alone account for more than 60% of the investment in MFC production. This high cost of platinum has prompted researchers to seek more affordable alternatives.
One promising development in this regard is the discovery of nitrogen-enriched iron-carbon nanorods, which can serve as a catalyst at a mere 5% of the cost of platinum. This innovation may lead to much more affordable MFCs, making them more accessible for energy conversion and storage.
Despite the challenges of low power generation and high costs, MFCs hold potential in niche applications such as higher-value chemical production and wastewater treatment. In wastewater treatment, for example, MFCs can convert organic wastes into energy, reducing waste disposal costs and increasing company profits. However, the low power output of MFCs remains a hurdle that researchers are actively working to overcome.
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Frequently asked questions
The cost of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is currently high, with a single MFC costing over $1500. However, researchers are working on bringing down the cost by developing low-cost materials and more efficient systems.
The main cost drivers of MFCs are Nafion membranes, Pt (platinum) catalyst, and carbon plain electrodes. Platinum is particularly expensive, constituting more than 60% of the investment in MFCs.
The use of cheaper alternatives such as carbon brushes and rods for electrodes, and cost-effective options like CMI-7000 instead of Nafion membranes, can help reduce the cost of MFCs. Additionally, scientists have been working on finding alternative catalyst materials that can match the efficiency of platinum at a lower cost.
MFCs have the potential to address environmental problems by treating organic waste and producing energy simultaneously. They can be used to treat wastewater, reduce waste disposal costs, and increase energy security by providing a reliable source of renewable energy.
