Glucose and ethanol checked by flow Direct Catalytic Fuel Cell (DCFC) and energetic considerations

Aims: A new basic research was conducted concerning the possibility of using a flow DCFC (Direct Catalytic Fuel Cell) for analytical purposes, checking ethanol and glucose. Also making considerations on the energy conversion aspect of these fuels. Background: There are a large number of studies concerning catalytic or microbial fuel cells, which allow to obtain electricity, both using liquid fuels, such as ethanol and methanol, or solid fuels, such as carbohydrates, biomass and so on. These systems are frequently characterized by high conversion efficiency but also high complexity and considerable costs. Objective: In the present research we investigated the possibility of using a very simple flow system to carry out measurement of ethanol concentration, or glucose analysis, using the same flow system associated with a small reactor containing yeast (Saccharomyces Cerevisiae). Methods: The main operating conditions have been optimized and the concentration range where the flow system response shows a linear correlation with the fuel concentration was also identified. Result: The current delivered by the catalytic system operating in flow was determined and the calibration sensitivity values are higher than the sensitivity found when operating in batch mode. It has also been shown that it is possible to realize a very simple system, which can be used to study and evaluate the conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy, using ethanol or glucose as fuel and the theoretical importance and analytical advantages have been emphasized, so that the use of carbohydrates, such as solid fuels, could represent. Conclusion: Present research has shown how, by operating in flow mode, rather than in batch, it is possible to have advantages from an analytical point of view, since a considerable increase in the sensitivity of the method can be obtained, probably attributable to a reduction in the effects of poisoning. Moreover, how it is possible to study and optimize the energy conversion conditions by means of a simple and inexpensive apparatus.