Modelling of Reaction and Transport in Microbial Fuel Cells

Understanding the fundamental processes underlying the microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can provide valuable insights in recognizing the key limiting factors, the scope of improvement of the system which in turn helps in the scaling-up the process. The science behind an MFC is complex and it involves a subtle interplay of various fields such as microbiology, physics and electrochemistry (Zhang and Halme 1995). A comprehensive understanding of various parameters involved in the process is essential for the improvement of power generation and to explore further applications. Modelling the system prior to experimentation can provide various perspectives and alternatives saving time and money. The physics of the process can be understood using quantitative predictions using modelling. It also provides valuable information about the dynamics of a process and thus important in reactor design and scale-up. Consequently, efficient monitoring of the process as well as precise control may be achieved through modelling (Marcus et al. 2007). Multi-scale modelling is crucial for a well-defined understanding of the process at both micro and macro scales.