A 1D mathematical model for a microbial fuel cell

MFCs (microbial fuel cells) are a promising sustainable technology to meet increasing energy needs, especially using wastewaters as substrates, since they can generate electricity and accomplish wastewater treatment simultaneously. The MFC is a complex system involving bio-electrochemical processes, charge, mass and energy transfer. In this work, a steady state, one-dimensional model accounting for coupled heat, charge and mass transfer, and biofilm formation, along with the electrochemical reactions occurring in the MFC, similar to the ones developed for chemical fuel cells, is presented. The model predicts the correct trends for the influence of current density on the cell voltage, as well as, the influence of substrate concentration and temperature on the MFC performance and biofilm thickness. The model outputs are the temperature and concentration profiles and the biofilm thickness. The proposed model is rapidly and easily implemented and is therefore suitable for inclusion in real-time system level MFC calculations. •A model coupling biofilm formation, heat, charger and mass transfer is presented.•The effect of operating and design parameters on MFC performance can be predicted.•The model predicts the temperature profiles and the biofilm thickness.•This model is useful to improve MFC understanding involving simple numeric tools.•This easily to implement model is suitable for use in real-time MFC simulations.