Batch operation of a microbial fuel cell equipped with alternative proton exchange membrane

We compared the effect of membrane type on the performance of microbial fuel cells (MFC) fed with an actual leachate and operated in batch for 15 days. The tested proton exchange membranes (PEMs) were Nafion 117 (NF) and a low cost membrane (LCM). The cell equipped with LCM outperformed the one equipped with NF. In the first period of the batch, 0-8 d, average volumetric powers (PV) were 9000 and 4000 mW/m3 for the MFC equipped with LCM and NF, respectively. In the second period (8-15 d) when the external resistances were adjusted, the average PVs were 20 000 and 6800 mW/m3 for LCM and NF, respectively. At the end of the batch, deposits of dry salts appeared on the external side of the cathode carbon cloth of the cell equipped with NF. Likely, this could be related to the decrease of power output in the last days of the batch (11-15 d) in the cell equipped with NF.