Benthic Microbial Fuel Cell as Direct Power Source for an Acoustic Modem and Seawater Oxygen/Temperature Sensor System

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• 作者：Yanming Gong ; Sage E. Radachowsky ; Michael Wolf ; Mark E. Nielsen ; Peter R. Girguis ; Clare E. Reimers
• 刊名：Environmental Science & Technology
• 出版年：2011
• 出版时间：June 1, 2011
• 年：2011
• 卷：45
• 期：11
• 页码：5047-5053
• 全文大小：979K
• 年卷期：v.45,no.11(June 1, 2011)
• ISSN：1520-5851

文摘

Supported by the natural potential difference between anoxic sediment and oxic seawater, benthic microbial fuel cells (BMFCs) promise to be ideal power sources for certain low-power marine sensors and communication devices. In this study a chambered BMFC with a 0.25 m² footprint was used to power an acoustic modem interfaced with an oceanographic sensor that measures dissolved oxygen and temperature. The experiment was conducted in Yaquina Bay, Oregon over 50 days. Several improvements were made in the BMFC design and power management system based on lessons learned from earlier prototypes. The energy was harvested by a dynamic gain charge pump circuit that maintains a desired point on the BMFC鈥檚 power curve and stores the energy in a 200 F supercapacitor. The system also used an ultralow power microcontroller and quartz clock to read the oxygen/temperature sensor hourly, store data with a time stamp, and perform daily polarizations. Data records were transmitted to the surface by the acoustic modem every 1鈥? days after receiving an acoustic prompt from a surface hydrophone. After jump-starting energy production with supplemental macroalgae placed in the BMFC鈥檚 anode chamber, the average power density of the BMFC adjusted to 44 mW/m² of seafloor area which is better than past demonstrations at this site. The highest power density was 158 mW/m², and the useful energy produced and stored was 鈮?.7 times the energy required to operate the system.