Advanced apparatus for generating electrical power from aquatic sediment/water interfaces
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorLeonard M. Tender
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Abstract
An improved benthic microbial fuel cell for generating energy at the interface of aquatic sediment and seawater includes an anode electrode embedded within the aquatic sediment, a cathode electrode positioned within the seawater and above the aquatic sediment, a rig for maintaining the relative positions of the anode and cathode electrodes, electrical leads extending from the anode and cathode electrodes to a load, wherein the anode electrode comprises a bottlebrush electrode residing within a permeable tube. The apparatus is easier to deploy than previously-described fuel cells, while being lighter, more durable, and generating greater power density. Also disclosed are methods of generating power from such an apparatus.
Claims9
An apparatus for generating energy at the interface of aquatic sediment and seawater, the apparatus comprising:
- an anode electrode embedded within the aquatic sediment;
- a cathode electrode positioned within the seawater and above the aquatic sediment;
- a rig for maintaining the relative positions of the anode and cathode electrodes;
- and
- electrical leads extending from the anode and cathode electrodes to a load,
- wherein the anode electrode comprises a bottlebrush electrode residing within a permeable tube.
A method of generating power from a voltage gradients at an interface between water and aquatic sediment, the method comprising:
- positioning a first electrode in sediment below the interface;
- positioning a second electrode in the water over the first electrode;
- and
- connecting electrical leads between the electrodes and a load to create a current between the electrodes,
- wherein the first electrode comprises a bottlebrush electrode residing within a permeable tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.