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The current climate change threat by green house gas emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels has necessitated a search for alternative non-polluting, reliable, renewable and sustainable sources of energy such as solar energy and its derivatives. During anaerobic microbial metabolism of small carbohydrates, protons and electrons are generated together with carbon dioxide gas. After the electrons are donated to the anode by the microbes (or with the aid of chemical mediators), these electrons can be channelled through a circuit bearing a load to the cathode, where the atmospheric oxygen is reduced, first to its divalent ions and subsequently to water. Unlike other biomass-to-energy conversion techniques such as torrefaction and gasification, no emissions are produced and the process is carbon neutral. There is no need for expensive conversion techniques such as transesterification, thermal or catalytic cracking or catalytic liquefaction. It is also non-destructive; the energy is harvested in-situ and is guaranteed as long as feedstock is available, can be implemented using industrial waste water, can be used in desalination or remediation and has application potential in wetlands and erosion sites which are prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa, reducing competition with food supply and other conventional sources of bio-energy.
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In-Text Citation: (Nwokocha et al., 2012)
To Cite this Article: Nwokocha, J. V., Nwaulari, J. N., & Lebe, A. N. (2012). The Microbial Fuel Cell: The Solution to the Global Energy and Environmental Crises? International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 1(1), 283–294.
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