Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) Controlled Flyback Converter for Microbial Fuel Cell Energy Harvesting

Abstract

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can provide power at low output voltages, 0.2V-0.8V. The challenge is to efficiently harvest the MFC power while boosting the voltage to a useful level. The proportional-integral-derivative (PID) flyback energy harvesting (EH) circuit presented in this report holds the MFC voltage at a user defined set point while being able to support delivery of a wide range of power levels (3mW-75mW tested here) into a 12V battery load. The control board power draw was 1.2mW. Energy harvesting efficiency was 80 percent for 75mW power level delivered to the battery load. Efficiency decreased to 56 percent at the 2.6mW power level, largely due to control circuit overhead power consuming a larger portion of the input power.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 2021
Accession Number
AD1125275

Entities

People

  • Joseph F. Jr Schnecker
  • L. Hsu
  • Maxwell M. Kerber

Organizations

  • Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amplifiers
  • Capacitors
  • Cells
  • Circuit Boards
  • Comparators
  • Converters
  • Energy
  • Energy Harvesting
  • Fuel Cells
  • Governments
  • Information Warfare
  • Measurement
  • Metal Oxide Semiconductors
  • Microbial Fuel Cells
  • Operational Amplifiers
  • Power Levels
  • Power Supplies
  • Semiconductors
  • Switched Mode Power Supplies
  • United States
  • United States Government

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Microbial Pathology

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology