Browsing by Author "Tahmasebi, Ali"
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Optimizing Power Generation from Microbial Fuel Cells, Wastewater Treatment, and Practical Energy Extraction for Diverse ApplicationsPublication . Tahmasebi, Ali; Santo, António Eduardo Vitória do EspíritoMicrobial Fuel Cells (MFCs) have emerged as a promising technology for wastewater treatment, offering the dual advantages of resource recovery and energy generation. While the power output of MFCs may not entirely offset the energy consumption of wastewater treatment plants, they are capable of autonomously powering physical, chemical, and biochemical monitoring systems within wastewater processes. Despite their potential, the energetic capacity of MFCs remains underutilized, largely due to significant energy losses that compromise system efficiency. As research on MFCs continues to expand, a comprehensive review of strategies to maximize their use as reliable power sources is becoming increasingly essential. This thesis investigates the optimization of MFCs for dual-purpose applications in wastewater treatment and electricity generation. By integrating advanced energy management strategies and optimizing operational parameters, we aim to enhance the efficiency and performance of MFCs. This study undertakes a comprehensive literature review on MFCs to elucidate their energy conversion mechanism based on the oxidation-reduction reaction of organic matter catalyzed by bacterial colonies. Simulation of the voltage, current, and power generated by an MFC, followed by the design and simulation of a DC-DC converter, is conducted in the MATLAB/Simulink environment. Additionally, the design and simulation of the Joule Thief and Boost Converter circuits are carried out in both LT Spice and MATLAB. The objective is to extract the Maximum Power Point (MPP) from the equivalent circuit of MFCs and design Flyback and Boost converters to maximize energy harvesting from the fuel cell. Furthermore, hardware is developed in the Circuit Maker environment in the form of a printed circuit board (PCB) to facilitate the implementation of Joule Thief and DC-DC converters. Simulation results demonstrate the efficiency of the designed DC-DC converter in extracting the maximum achievable output power from the MFCs, even under varying operating conditions.