DC-DC Boost Converter for Enhancing the Generated Output Voltage from Microbial Fuel Cell

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Physics Dept., Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Modern Academy

2 Biophysics Res. Group, Physics Department, Faculty of Women for Arts, Science and Education, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

3 Electronic Res. Lab., Physics Department, Faculty of Women for Arts, Science and Education, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

Abstract

Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) represents a promising approach for generating power inexpensively. Moreover, it is considered as an alternative green energy source. It could generate electrical energy by utilizing a wide range of organic substrates, as well as complex organic matter present in various environmental wastes depending on the bio-catalysis of microorganisms. However, the utilization of MFC in electronic applications is limited, due to its low output power density and output voltage.  The present work aims to enhance the generated output voltage of a single MFC by applying DC-DC boost converter circuit. Before applying this circuit, a similar stacked series 6- MFCs are constructed for increasing its generated output voltage (on average 1.04V), where their produced output voltage reached about 6.24 V. In most electronic applications, the required voltage and current exceed these values. Hence, as a solution, a DC-DC boost converter circuit is recommended with an input voltage of 6 V based on the voltage harvested from the cascaded series 6-MFCs using a 6V/2A lead acid battery. In this work, the designed converter was operated in the discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) giving a variety of output voltage ranging from 15.8 V at load resistance (RL) of 220 Ω up to 21.2 V at RL of 620 Ω.

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