KR100950595B1 - Biological power equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A biological power apparatus is provided to efficiently cope with an installation environment, to reduce the installation, operation, maintenance costs by excluding an additional apparatus and applying inexpensive materials. CONSTITUTION: A biological power apparatus comprises a reactor(10) in which a microbial biofuel cell(20) is installed and an external converter switching the electricity generated from the microbial biofuel cell into an alternating current. At least one microbial biofuel cell is detachably installed in or detached from a reaction bath. The microbial biofuel cell comprises a middle support, a reduction electrode part, a separation film, and an oxidation electrode part.

Description

BIOLOGICAL POWER EQUIPMENT

The present invention relates to a biological electrochemical device that is installed in an aerobic or anaerobic tank of a wastewater treatment facility to remove organic matters in the wastewater, and generates electricity using electrons and hydrogen ions generated during organic decomposition. It can effectively cope with the installation environment such as type, type, etc., and it can reduce the installation, operation, and maintenance cost of the device by eliminating the additional device and applying the low-cost material, as well as increase the amount of bacteria and efficient treatment water. The present invention relates to a bioelectrochemical device that realizes effects such as flow induction and sludge settling suppression.

In general, a bio-electrical device is installed in an aerobic or anaerobic tank of a sewage treatment plant to remove organics from the wastewater and to generate electricity. Microbial fuel that generates electricity using electrons and hydrogen ions generated during organic decomposition It is configured to include a battery.

As the prior art related to the microbial fuel cell, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2001-0009031 (Biofuel cell using activated sludge for wastewater and wastewater treatment) shown in FIG. 1 and Korean Patent Publication No. 10 shown in FIG. -2002-0028342 (biofuel cells using electrodes with transition elements).

The structure and basic principle of a conventional microbial fuel cell will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 as follows.

Conventional microbial fuel cells are categorized into a cathode reactor including an anode and a cathode reactor including a cathode based on an ion exchange membrane, and organic materials are oxidized by microorganisms in an anode reactor under anaerobic conditions to produce electrons and hydrogen ions. The electrons are transferred to the cathode through the external conductor. The hydrogen ions move to the reduction electrode through the ion exchange membrane, react with oxygen supplied from the electrons and the oxygen supply device to generate reduced water (water), and current is produced by electrons flowing through the external conductor.

However, in the conventional technique as described above, since the anode and the cathode are formed of a single structure which cannot be separated from each reaction tank, in order to add a device in response to an installation environment such as wastewater phase, size, type, etc. There was a problem in that the entire structure including the reaction tank has to be added, and in order to repair or replace a part of the microbial fuel cell, there has been a problem in that the entire structure has to be removed.

In addition, a separate oxygen supply device must be provided to supply oxygen, and an expensive ion exchange membrane is used for the separation of the anode reactor including the anode and the cathode reactor including the cathode. Installation, operation and maintenance costs are increased, the limited amount of bacteria due to the limited size of the anode has a problem that the electricity production efficiency is extremely low.

In addition, there is a problem in that the installation, operation and maintenance costs are further increased because a separate flow guide device is provided to induce an efficient flow of the treated water to suppress the sludge settling phenomenon.

The present invention is to solve the above-described problems, by providing a microbial fuel cell detachably installed or removed from the reaction tank to provide a biological electrochemical device that can efficiently respond to the installation environment, such as waste water phase, size, type, etc. Let's make it a task.

In addition, the present invention excludes a separate device such as an oxygen supply device by exposing the cathode electrode used in the microbial fuel cell to the outside air, and replaces the separator with a non-woven fabric of a high cost-effective material, installation, operation, maintenance costs Another object of the present invention is to provide a biological electrochemical device capable of reducing the amount of.

In addition, the present invention constitutes a paddle-shaped induction plate on the outer surface of the anode, thereby providing a biological electrochemical device that implements the effect of increasing the amount of bacteria, efficient flow induction of treated water and suppressing sludge settling phenomenon It is another task to provide.

In the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, in the biological electrochemical apparatus comprising a reactor for installing a microbial fuel cell and an external device for converting electricity generated in the microbial fuel cell into an alternating current form, at least one microorganism It provides a bio-electrochemical device characterized in that the fuel cell is detachably installed or removed in the reaction tank.

In addition, the bioelectric device may be configured to include a microbial fuel cell having a coupling groove formed in the coupling groove of the reaction tank and the coupling groove is formed in the coupling groove on one surface.

In addition, the microbial fuel cell is installed in parallel in the horizontal direction in the reaction tank, it may be installed in the form of zigzag (zigzag).

In addition, the microbial fuel cell is provided with a perforated portion formed on one side or both sides, a central support having a hollow portion into which external air flows in the central portion, and contacting the hollow portion in a state of being inserted into the perforated portion of the central support. Reducing electrode unit for reacting the electrons and hydrogen ions to the outside air, the separator is formed on the outer surface of the cathode and the outer surface of the separator may be configured to include an anode electrode for generating electrons and hydrogen ions. And a packing part configured on an outer surface of the separator to suppress the outflow of reducing water and a finishing part configured on an outer surface of the anode electrode part to close an outer surface of the microbial fuel cell.

In addition, the separator may be made of a nonwoven fabric.

In addition, the anode portion, one or more paddle-shaped guide plate may be formed on the outer surface.

In addition, the central support, the handle portion may be formed on the upper side.

According to the present invention by the above-mentioned means for solving the problem, it is possible to efficiently cope with the installation environment, by eliminating an additional device, and by applying a low-cost material to reduce the installation, operation, maintenance costs of the device as well as bacteria Increasing the amount of nutrients, the effective flow induction of treated water and the suppression of sludge sedimentation can be realized.

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the configuration and effect of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a perspective view of a bioelectrochemical apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a plan view of a bioelectrochemical apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a microorganism according to an embodiment of the present invention. As an exploded perspective view of a fuel cell, the present invention includes a reactor 10, an external converter 30 (see FIG. 6), and a microbial fuel cell 20.

The reaction tank 10 is a space part in which the microbial fuel cell 20 and the treated water W contact each other, and an inlet 10a for introducing the treated water W is formed at one side, and the treated water ( The outlet 10b for outflow of W) is formed.

In addition, a coupling groove 10c is formed to be detachably installed or removed from the microbial fuel cell 20, and correspondingly, one side of the microbial fuel cell 20 is formed in the coupling groove 10c. An insertable joining protrusion 21a is formed.

Since the microbial fuel cell 20 is installed in the reactor 10, the microbial fuel cell 20 may be installed in a horizontal direction, but the efficient flow induction of the treated water (see FIG. 6) and the microbial fuel cell 20 accordingly It is preferable to install in the form of zigzag to increase the use efficiency.

Therefore, not only can efficiently cope with the installation environment, such as waste water phase, size, type, it is also possible to simply remove and work only the microbial fuel cell in order to repair and replace a part of the microbial fuel cell 20.

On the other hand, the upper portion of the reaction vessel 10 is coupled to the cover portion 11 for blocking the air movement to the anode portion 23 to be described later.

However, the cathode portion 22 to be described later should be in contact with the air in the air, for this purpose, an opening portion 11a is formed in a part of the cover portion 11.

Therefore, the opening portion 11a blocks air movement to the anode portion 23, which will be described later, but the reduction electrode portion 22 is effective to be formed at a size and a position to make contact with air in the atmosphere. Preferably, the opening 11a is formed at a size (or a narrower size) and a position corresponding to the hollow portion 21c formed inside the central support 21 of the microbial fuel cell 20 which will be described later. .

The external conversion device 30 is a conventional device (see FIG. 6) for converting electricity generated in the microbial fuel cell 20 into an alternating current form. Each of the electrodes 22 and 23 and the external lead 33 is connected to each other. It is configured to include an external circuit 31 connected through the transfer of the direct current electricity to the converter 32 and the converter 32 for converting the transferred direct current electricity to the alternating current.

The microbial fuel cell 20 is a device for producing electricity by using electrons and hydrogen ions generated during the decomposition of organic matter, the central support 21, the cathode electrode 22, the anode 23, the separator 24, the packing part 25 and the finishing part 26 are comprised.

The central support 21 is a support that allows each of the components to be united, and efficiently exposes the cathode electrode 22 to air in the atmosphere, and is detachably installed in the reactor 10 or It is configured to be removed.

That is, the central support 21 has a perforated portion 21b formed on one side, preferably both sides, so that the cathode electrode 22 can be inserted into the perforated portion 21b, and the external air By forming a hollow portion (21c) that can be introduced to the inner surface of the reduction electrode portion 22 inserted into the drilling portion (21b) to be in contact with the outside air.

On the other hand, any other side of the other side, except the two sides formed with the punched portion (21b) is formed with a coupling protrusion 21a, the coupling protrusion 21a is inserted into the coupling groove (10c) of the reaction tank (10). By doing so, the microbial fuel cell 20 may be detachably installed or removed from the reaction tank 10.

In addition, the handle 21d is formed on the upper side of the central support 21 to be more easily installed or removed from the reaction vessel (10).

The cathode portion 22 is configured to generate electricity by reacting supplied electrons and hydrogen ions with external air. The cathode portion 22 is inserted into the perforation portion 21b of the central support 21, and has an inner surface (center support ( The surface facing the hollow portion 21c of 21) communicates with the hollow portion 21c through which the external air flows and contacts the outside air.

That is, since the reduction electrode unit 22 is exposed to external air, a separate oxygen supply device can be excluded.

In addition, the cathode electrode 22 may be applied to a variety of materials that can perform the function, in consideration of the reaction efficiency, the unit cost of the material, it is preferable to use a carbon cloth (carbon cloth).

The separator 24 separates the reactants or products generated from the cathode electrode 22 and the anode electrode 23 to be described later so as not to mix, and at the same time, a common ion exchange membrane is used as a medium for transferring hydrogen ions. Although applicable, the present invention applies a nonwoven fabric (1 kW / m 2) that is cheaper than the ion exchange membrane (2,300 kW / m 2) while satisfying the conductivity, corrosiveness, and durability of hydrogen ions.

The anode portion 23 generates electrons and hydrogen ions and supplies them to the reduction electrode portion 22. The anode portion 23 inhabits microorganisms such as bacteria on the surface thereof and electrons generated during the decomposition of organic matter by the microorganisms. Hydrogen ions are supplied to the reduction electrode unit 22.

At this time, the electrons move to the cathode electrode 22 through an external conductor 33 made of titanium or the like connected to the cathode electrode 22 and the anode electrode 23 (see FIG. 7), and hydrogen ions. Is moved to the reduction electrode part 22 through the separator 24 made of the nonwoven fabric.

In addition, in order to generate more electrons and hydrogen ions, it is necessary to increase the amount of microorganisms inhabiting, so that at least one induction plate 23a is provided on the outer surface to increase the surface area of the anode portion 23. Is formed.

The induction plate 23a has a function of increasing the amount of microorganisms in addition to inducing a smooth flow of treated water (see FIG. 6) to suppress the settling of sludge, etc., in the form of a paddle having a gentle bend. It is preferable to fabricate, and as another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, another paddle shape in which a plate-shaped with a straight surface is vertically coupled and curved in an arc shape can be applied.

In addition, the anode portion 23 may be applied to a variety of materials that can perform the function, but considering the reaction efficiency, the unit cost of the material, such as carbon cloth (graph cloth) or graphite felt (graphite felt) It is preferable to use.

On the other hand, the packing portion 25 for suppressing the outflow of the reduced water (water) generated in the cathode electrode portion 22 may be configured on the outer surface of the separator 24, it is more firmly coupled to each of the components Finishing portion 26 may be configured on the outer surface of the anode portion 23.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the biological electrochemical device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the operating principle of the biological electrochemical device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the organism of the present invention Looking at the electricity generation process by the electrification device as follows.

(a) When treated water (W), such as wastewater containing organic matter and microorganisms, is introduced, the organic matter is decomposed by the microorganisms on the surface of the anode portion 23 and the paddle-type guide plate 23a, and this process is performed. In electrons (e ^_ ) and hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ) are generated.

(b) The generated electrons e ^_ move to the cathode electrode 22 through the external conductor 33, and hydrogen ions H ⁺ pass through the separator 24 to the cathode electrode 22. Move.

(c) The reduction electrode unit 22 reacts with the supplied electrons (e ^_ ) and hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ) and oxygen (O ₂ ) contained in the outside air as electron acceptors to generate reduced water. In this process, electricity in the form of direct current is generated.

(d) The generated direct current electricity is transmitted to the converter 32 through the external circuit 31, and is converted into electricity of the alternating current by the converter 32.

(e) the treated water (W) Organic matter is discharged through the outlet (10b) of the reaction tank 10 in a removed state. On the other hand, the treated water (W) is introduced through the inlet (10a) and out through the outlet (10b), the zigzag arrangement of the microbial fuel cell 10 (see Fig. 4) and the anode portion 23 By the paddle-shaped guide plate (23a), the flow can proceed smoothly without a separate flow guide device, it is possible to suppress the settling of sludge and the like.

As described above, the present invention enables the microbial fuel cell 20 to be detachably installed or removed from the reaction tank 10 so that the microbial fuel cell 20 can efficiently cope with the installation environment such as wastewater phase, size, type, and the like. Exposing the reduction electrode unit 22 used in 20) to the outside air, the separate device such as the oxygen supply device is excluded, and the separator 24 is replaced with a non-woven fabric having a high-cost and cost-effective material to install, operate, and maintain the device. Not only can the cost be reduced, but also the paddle-shaped induction plate 23a is formed on the outer surface of the anode electrode 23, thereby increasing the amount of bacteria, efficiently inducing the flow of treated water, and suppressing sludge settling. Will be.

In addition, the present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings, and various substitutions, modifications, and changes can be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinary knowledge of Esau.

1 and 2 is a schematic diagram of a microbial fuel cell according to the prior art

3 is a perspective view of a biological electrochemical device according to an embodiment of the present invention

4 is a plan view of a biological electrochemical device according to an embodiment of the present invention

5 is an exploded perspective view of a microbial fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the biological electrochemical device according to an embodiment of the present invention

7 is a schematic view showing the operating principle of the biological electrochemical device according to an embodiment of the present invention

8 is a perspective view of the paddle-type induction plate of the anode according to another embodiment of the present invention

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10: reactor 10a: inlet

10b: outlet 10c: coupling groove

11: cover part 11a: opening part

20: microbial fuel cell 21: central support

21a: coupling protrusion 21b: perforation

21c: hollow portion 21d: handle portion

22: cathode electrode 23: anode portion

23a: induction plate 24: separator

25 packing part 26 finishing part

30: external converter 31: external circuit

32: converter 33: external conductor

W: treated water

Claims (8)

In the bioelectric device comprising a reactor for installing a microbial fuel cell and an external converter for converting the electricity generated in the microbial fuel cell into an alternating current form, At least one microbial fuel cell is detachably installed or removed in a reactor. The method of claim 1, The biological electric device, Reaction tank formed with a coupling groove on one surface and And a microbial fuel cell in which a coupling protrusion which is insertable and inserted into the coupling groove of the reaction tank is formed. The method of claim 1, The microbial fuel cell, Biological electrochemical device, characterized in that installed in parallel in the horizontal direction in the reactor, zigzag (zigzag) form. The method of claim 1, The microbial fuel cell, A central support having a perforated part formed on one side or both sides, and a hollow part through which external air flows into the center part; A reduction electrode part which contacts the hollow part while being inserted into the perforation part of the central support and reacts the supplied electrons and hydrogen ions with external air; A separator formed on an outer surface of the cathode portion; And an anode electrode configured to generate electrons and hydrogen ions on an outer surface of the separator. The method of claim 4, wherein The microbial fuel cell, A packing part configured on an outer surface of the separation membrane to suppress outflow of reduced water; And an end portion formed on an outer surface of the anode portion to close an outer surface of the microbial fuel cell. The method of claim 4, wherein The central support, Biological electrochemical device, characterized in that the handle portion is formed on the upper side. The method of claim 4, wherein The anode portion, Biological electrochemical device, characterized in that one or more paddle-shaped guide plate is formed on the outer surface. The method of claim 4, wherein The separator, Biological electrochemical device comprising a nonwoven fabric.

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