Methane as a Substrate for Energy Generation Using Microbial Fuel Cells

Abstract

Methane (CH 4 ) is a well-known and abundant feedstock for natural gas, and is readily available from various sources. In thermal plants, the CH 4 generated from anthropogenic sources is converted into electrical energy via combustion. Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology has proven to be an efficient strategy for the biological conversion of a many substrates, including biogas (CH 4 ), to electricity. MFC technology uses gaseous substrate along with an enriched and selective microbial consortium. Predominantly, methanotrophs and electrochemically active Geobacter were utilized in a syntrophic association on the anode of an MFC. This review focuses on the exploitation of CH 4 as a substrate for bioelectrogenesis via MFCs.