Devices for generating energy and their uses

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating energy and the use of said apparatus to generate and / or store energy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of energy. In particular, this invention relates to an apparatus capable of generating and / or storing energy and its uses. Background Technology

[0002] The principle of microbial biodegradation for electricity generation has been applied in various methods and technologies. So-called soil-based micro-fiber fusion capacitors (SMFCs) and plant-based micro-fiber fusion capacitors (PMFCs) are two of the most attractive because they allow for the extraction of energy from nature itself, soil, or plants in a low-cost and environmentally friendly manner. However, these systems have some drawbacks. In natural environments, PMFCs have been shown to generate more electricity than SMFCs because plants provide the nutrients for the biogenic microorganisms to produce energy, thus creating an inexhaustible energy source. Conversely, for SMFCs, a continuous supply of organic matter remains a challenge for long-term operation. However, PMFCs are limited to non-portable systems, and the technology must be adapted to the location where it will be used. Therefore, PMFCs are not useful for closed and portable power installations because root growth eventually supplies oxygen to the anode and leads to electrode damage.

[0003] Bilayer bio-batteries and their advantages

[0004] This invention focuses on double-layer bio-batteries. Double-layer bio-batteries can generate electricity by using natural soil as a power source and utilizing plants to maintain the ecosystem without disrupting it.

[0005] The device includes a self-containing fuel cell architecture for optimal transfer of the battery from the laboratory to the field. This complete solution includes a basin-shaped battery design where soil previously selected in the laboratory is introduced and maintained in optimal condition, using the same soil in both the laboratory and the closed system.

[0006] The double-layered battery has two separate compartments assembled in a single device. The lower section is a biocell consisting of an anode and a cathode separated by soil. The soil also provides the organic matter and microorganisms needed to generate electricity. At the anode, microorganisms feed on the organic matter, producing protons and electrons. In the absence of oxygen, these microorganisms send electrons to the anode, while protons travel through the moist soil to the cathode. Additionally, air enters through an upper opening and reaches the cathode. In turn, electrons travel through the circuit from the anode to oxygen and protons and react with them, producing water and allowing energy to be generated. The upper section includes one or more selected plants that grow naturally in the battery's installation environment. The plants and the battery are connected such that rainwater and irrigation water, which leach nutrients and microorganisms from the soil, are directed to the battery while avoiding contact between the plant roots (if present) and the anode.

[0007] For enclosed and portable power installations, soil-powered batteries present several challenges. The first is the issue of maintaining a continuous supply of organic matter for long-term operation. Furthermore, battery performance depends on the quality of soil microorganisms and organic matter.

[0008] The developed double-layer battery is a device suitable for generating and / or storing energy, offering several advantages over traditional soil biocells. The double-compartment device disclosed herein allows for the production of energy in a clean and pollution-free form. Furthermore, the device can operate underground, thus protecting it from sudden temperature changes and harsh weather conditions. This prevents energy loss and, therefore, allows for greater energy stability in addition to increased system durability. The double compartments protect the device from erosion by roots or soil organisms, preventing contact between plant roots (if present) and the anode, and the configuration of the double compartments (upper compartment) allows for additional nutrient and microbial supply. This prevents nutrient depletion, thus enabling a system capable of continuous energy production. Moreover, the lower compartment is configured to allow for better control over operational variability, resulting in more stable and controlled energy production. The soil used is pre-selected in the laboratory, and the battery can then be installed in any environment or soil type that keeps the biocell in optimal operating condition. Therefore, when implemented in the field, the conditions inside the battery are a complete replication of those in the laboratory, ensuring optimal performance under any environmental conditions. This device is a ready-to-use technology that can be used in any environment and location without adapting the system to existing soil conditions, while avoiding contact between plant roots (if present) and the anode.

[0009] Bio-batteries and bilayer bio-batteries

[0010] Two main technologies derived from bio-batteries are preferred for field applications because they obtain energy directly from nature: one is a soil-only technology, and the other is a plant-based technology [1]. Although the two technologies have many similarities, they differ in terms of fuel supply. In the soil-only technology, the organic matter used for microbial energy production comes directly from the soil and depends on the initial composition of the soil, but in plant bio-batteries, the nutrient supply is continuous and is a result of plant photosynthesis [2].

[0011] Therefore, plants extend the lifespan of bacteria and fuel cells[2], but plants also relate their electrical efficiency to any factors that affect plant metabolism, such as hours of daylight, the efficiency of photosynthesis, or the distribution of organic matter from the plant to the soil[1, 2]. In addition, the oxygen produced in the plant roots and the transport of oxygen to the anode reduce the efficiency of the process, thereby reducing the number of available electrons and the anode potential[2]. Therefore, there is no ideal bio-battery, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of power supply.

[0012] In addition, despite performing well in the laboratory, problems arise when implemented in the field under actual environmental conditions, as the plant and soil composition in the field is very different from that used in the laboratory[3].

[0013] Therefore, a two-layer solution allows for overcoming the drawbacks of both technologies while leveraging their respective strengths.

[0014] Document US2017 / 077541 A1 relates to a microbial battery with an anode and cathode using soil as a substrate. In contrast, the present invention is a bilayer device that generates energy in a stable and efficient manner due to its two compartments; this bilayer device is not merely a biological battery. US2017 / 077541 A1 describes an approximate device of the present invention, but these approximate devices are not identical and none offer the advantages provided by the present invention. In particular, US2017 / 077541 A1 describes a battery with a green substrate removably located on top. However, the soil is in close contact with the cathode electrode, and oxygen must penetrate the entire soil layer to reach it, thus imposing a very significant limitation on the cathode reaction. Furthermore, the cathode electrode is perforated to allow water to pass through, resulting in electrical connection problems and increased internal resistance. US2017 / 077541 A1 describes a cylindrical microbial fuel cell embedded in a soil layer. This design does not show the distinctive bilayer design. The outer layer of the container is a material with an insulating layer. In this invention, a second compartment is provided, containing soil and water that can permeate the compartment to allow the discovery of electrogenic bacteria, thereby permitting the increase of organic matter. Furthermore, according to the invention, the battery does not use the soil used to bury it. The inventors provide an apparatus for optimal transfer from laboratory to field, wherein soil previously selected in the laboratory is introduced and maintained under optimal conditions in a closed device for environmental application.

[0015] Furthermore, the double-layered battery has two independent compartments assembled in a single device. The lower section contains a biocell consisting of an anode and cathode separated by soil. The upper section includes a selected variety of plants that grow naturally in the battery installation environment. The plants and the battery are connected such that rainwater and irrigation water, which leach nutrients and microorganisms from the soil, are directed to the battery, while avoiding contact between the plant roots (if present) and the anode. Without the compartment responsible for protecting and disposing of organic matter, we would not have the advantages offered by that compartment. Therefore, this invention relates to a self-sufficient fuel cell architecture for the optimal transfer of batteries from the laboratory to the field. This complete solution includes a basin-shaped battery design in which soil previously selected in the laboratory is introduced and maintained in optimal condition, using the same soil in both the laboratory and the closed device.

[0016] Therefore, the inventors have developed a device suitable for generating and / or storing energy, which has many advantages over previously disclosed devices. The dual-compartment device disclosed herein allows for the acquisition of energy in a clean and pollution-free form. Furthermore, the device can operate underground, thus protecting it from sudden temperature changes and harsh weather conditions. This avoids a reduction in energy production and, therefore, allows for greater energy stability in addition to increased system durability. The dual compartments protect the device from erosion by roots or soil organisms, thereby preventing contact between plant roots (if present) and the anode, and the configuration of the dual compartments (upper compartment) allows for additional nutrient and microbial supply. This prevents nutrient depletion, thus enabling a system capable of continuous energy generation. Furthermore, the lower compartment is configured to allow for better control over operational variability, resulting in more stable and controlled energy production. This device allows for a ready-to-use technology that can be used in any environment and location without adapting the system to existing soil conditions. Summary of the Invention

[0017] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus for generating energy, as further detailed herein.

[0018] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to the use of devices as defined in the first aspect for generating and / or storing energy. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 An example of a device according to the invention, including optional elements, is schematically shown. In this device: 1, an air inlet; 2, soil; 3, leachate; 4, a cathode; 5, a filter; 6, an anode; 7, a leachate distribution pipe; 8, a piston; 9, a plastic grid; 10, an excess leachate outlet; and 11, electronic components. In this case, a larger battery is formed from soil and / or plants in the upper compartment of the battery, and can be used, for example, on a roof, terrace, or garden, thereby enabling the power supply of an automatic watering system or lighting.

[0020] Figure 2 Different variations of an example device according to the invention, including optional elements, are shown, in which: 1, electronic device; 2, cathode; 3, organic material; 4, anode; 5, sensor. This figure represents a small variation of a dual-compartment biocell. In this case, the biocell is located underground, and the upper compartment is formed by the surrounding soil. This variation can be used to power small devices, such as sensors.

[0021] Figure 3 shows the intensity-voltage (IV) curves and power curves obtained by one of the PMFC and SMFC devices at the start of the experiment (A) and after 3 weeks of operation.

[0022] Figure 4 The variation of the anode potential of PMFC and SMFC over time is shown.

[0023] Figure 5 The maximum power value obtained from the power curve performed during the experiment (Example 2) is shown.

[0024] Figure 6 The IV curve of the device after 31 days of operation is shown, along with the anode and cathode potentials measured during the IV curve.

[0025] Figure 7 : A schematic diagram of the experimental design performed in Comparative Example 3.

[0026] Figure 8 The maximum current density obtained during experiments conducted in Comparative Example 3 using different soil types in a single-layer reactor (A) and a double-layer reactor (B). Detailed Implementation

[0027] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus for generating energy, the apparatus comprising:

[0028] - A lower compartment having a lower portion serving as an anode and a higher portion serving as a cathode, and the lower compartment further comprising a wet matrix between the lower portion and the higher portion, wherein the wet matrix comprises at least one electrogenic microorganism and at least one electron donor;

[0029] - An upper compartment open to the outside, which is in contact with an environment capable of supplying at least one electron donor, and the upper compartment is configured to transfer liquid to a lower compartment via a conduction device;

[0030] - A conduction device for conveying at least one electron acceptor from the outside through the gap between the lower and upper compartments to the cathode in the lower compartment.

[0031] In this disclosure and claims, terms such as “comprising,” “containing,” “containing,” and “having” are open-ended terms and can mean “including,” “comprising,” etc.; while terms such as “composed of” or “constituting of” refer to the element mentioned after these terms, and other elements not mentioned are excluded.

[0032] Unless otherwise stated, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. The singular terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural objects unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the term “or” is intended to include “and” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the liquid to be transferred to the lower compartment is selected from water, leachates from the matrix, or combinations thereof. Thus, in various embodiments, the apparatus as defined herein is used such that the liquid to be transferred by a conductive device from an upper compartment open to the outside to a lower compartment is selected from water, leachates from the matrix, or combinations thereof.

[0034] In another preferred embodiment, the at least one electron donor includes, but is not limited to, organic matter, phosphite, sulfur, hydrogen, nitrite, and ferrous ions. Preferably, the electron donor is an organic matter. Thus, in various embodiments, the device as defined in this invention is used such that the at least one electron donor contained in a wet substrate or supplied independently by an environment in contact with an upper compartment open to the outside includes, but is not limited to, organic matter, phosphite, sulfur, hydrogen, nitrite, and ferrous ions; preferably, the at least one electron donor is an organic matter in both cases.

[0035] In another preferred embodiment, the at least one electron acceptor includes, but is not limited to: oxygen alone or contained in a gaseous composition; manganese and iron compounds; and nitrates. Preferably, the at least one electron acceptor is oxygen-containing air or only oxygen. Thus, in various embodiments, the device as defined by the invention is used such that the at least one electron acceptor conveyed from the outside through the gap between the lower and upper compartments to the cathode of the lower compartment includes, but is not limited to: oxygen alone or contained in a gaseous composition; manganese and iron compounds; and nitrates, preferably, the electron acceptor is oxygen-containing air or only oxygen.

[0036] In another preferred embodiment, the anode is made of, but not limited to, the following: carbon / graphite cloth; carbon / graphite felt; carbon paper; carbon rod; and carbon fiber. Preferably, the anode is made of graphite felt or carbon (in any of the forms mentioned).

[0037] In another preferred embodiment, the cathode is made of, but not limited to, the following: the same material as the anode mentioned above; platinum alone or in combination with carbon; stainless steel wire; carbon nanotubes; and cobalt-based materials. Preferably, the cathode is made of graphite felt, platinum, or platinum in combination with carbon.

[0038] In another preferred embodiment, the device further includes at least one living or non-living organism in the upper compartment. Non-limiting examples of the organism may include archaea, bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, algae, protozoa, and larger soil animals such as springtails, mites, nematodes, earthworms, ants, or insects.

[0039] In another preferred embodiment, the device further includes at least one non-electrolytic microorganism. The non-electrolytic microorganism is known in the art.

[0040] In another preferred embodiment, the at least one electrogenic microorganism and / or the at least one non-electrogenic microorganism are from a single genus, or in the case of more than one genus, the at least one electrogenic microorganism and / or the at least one non-electrogenic microorganism are a combination of microorganisms from different genera.

[0041] In a more preferred embodiment, the electrogenic microorganisms used in this invention may be selected from, but are not limited to, the following genera: Shewanella, Geobacterium, Pseudomonas, Rhodotorula, Bacillus, and Clostridium.

[0042] It should also be noted that electrogenic microorganisms can generate energy at the anode and catalyze reduction reactions at the cathode.

[0043] In another preferred embodiment, the device further includes a separator located between the anode and the cathode in the lower compartment, preferably an ion exchange membrane. The separator may be made of glass, plastic, or any other suitable material.

[0044] In another preferred embodiment, the device further includes at least one of the following:

[0045] -A conductive device used to drive liquid to the outside of the device in the event of excess liquid;

[0046] -At least one filter;

[0047] -At least one piston;

[0048] -At least one valve;

[0049] - Their combination.

[0050] Clearly, although not specifically mentioned in the definition of the device, it also includes electronic components in order to start the system.

[0051] The at least one filter may be located in an upper compartment and / or a lower compartment. In the upper compartment, the filter is located below the substrate and directly above the liquid outflow (leaching) area to prevent dirt, stones, or other substances or organisms that could clog the conduction device. In the lower compartment, the filter is typically located below the cathode, thus protecting the cathode from the substrate below and preventing it from becoming too dirty and reducing the active surface area. However, these filters do allow liquid to pass through. The pore size of these filters may vary, but it is always greater than 0.2 μm to allow microbial passage.

[0052] The at least one piston allows the device to be opened for modifications to be made inside.

[0053] The at least one valve can be any valve suitable for this system, such as an electric valve, a ball valve, and a needle valve.

[0054] In another preferred embodiment, the device further includes an energy storage system. This storage system allows for the continuous storage of energy generated by the system, thereby enabling the timely supply of energy to other external devices.

[0055] In another preferred embodiment, the device is arranged such that at least one plant is placed above the upper compartment to protect the device from changes in atmosphere and / or humidity. The plant above the upper compartment may even be placed solely as a decorative element.

[0056] In another preferred embodiment, the device is enclosed in an underground box-like structure with an upper portion open to the outdoors. The box-like structure may have a size, for example, between 15cm and 50cm, depending on the final purpose, and may be made of material such as PVC.

[0057] It should be noted that any embodiment of the apparatus disclosed herein for use according to the first aspect of the invention may be used alone or in combination with any other embodiment disclosed herein, unless the context otherwise requires.

[0058] As described above, the present invention relates to an energy-generating device comprising two compartments. As an example of its operation, in the lower section, the bio-battery electrochemically converts the chemical energy of organic matter into electrical energy through bacterial metabolism. In this compartment, the anode is embedded in the soil. Soil is a habitat for a large number of microorganisms, including energy-producing microorganisms, i.e., electrogenic microorganisms. Therefore, electrogenic bacteria oxidize organic matter and produce electrons and protons. Because the organic matter in the soil and sediment is more abundant, the amount of electrons produced by bacterial degradation is high. Electrogenic bacteria can transfer electrons to an extracellular electron acceptor, in this case, the anode. The anode absorbs electrons, and the electrons are transported to the cathode via an external circuit. Simultaneously, protons migrate through the soil to the cathode, where they combine with electrons and oxygen reduced at the cathode surface, thereby generating an electric current.

[0059] Meanwhile, due to the different conductive mechanisms connecting the upper and lower compartments, the soil and plants present in the upper compartment provide an additional source of organic matter and microorganisms. In turn, the upper compartment allows for the protection of the biocell from environmental changes and minimizes the environmental and visual impact on the device.

[0060] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to the use of devices, alone or in combination, according to any embodiment disclosed herein, for generating and / or storing energy.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus as disclosed herein in any embodiment is used alone or in combination to generate a gas, such as methane, and simultaneously generate and / or store energy as defined above, or to generate a gas, such as hydrogen, when an external current is applied to the apparatus.

[0062] In addition, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As already stated, such as Figure 1 The device shown can be used, for example, on rooftops, terraces, or gardens, and can power automatic watering systems or lighting fixtures; while Figure 2 The device shown is better suited for powering low-power electronic devices, such as sensors.

[0063] This disclosure also relates to a method for generating and / or storing energy, the method comprising the steps of using an apparatus according to any embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0064] Several examples are provided below to illustrate the invention without limiting the scope of the invention as established by the appended claims in any way.

[0065] Example

[0066] Example 1: Performance comparison of PMFC and SMFC in enclosed devices

[0067] The performance of three SMFCs and three PMFCs using Canna Indica has been compared over a long period of one month.

[0068] Generally, PMFC performance has been shown to be inferior to soil MFC in our facilities, which include small, closed tanks. For example... Figure 1 As observed, although the performance in terms of maximum power and current was very similar at the beginning of the experiment ( Figure 3A However, after running for 3 weeks, PMFC performance significantly decreased. Figure 3B ).

[0069] It has been demonstrated that plant roots can completely entangle the anode and tear the electrode fabric. Furthermore, it has been shown that plant species tolerant of the submerged soil required for PMFC operation can form aerenchyma in their roots: a special tissue that allows oxygen to flow from the top of the plant to the underwater roots to prevent hypoxia; this tissue allows oxygen to flow from the outside of the roots to the external medium. Therefore, the anaerobic conditions required by the anode are disrupted by the oxygen flow from the closed aerenchyma.

[0070] All of these will lead to a loss of anodic potential. Figure 4 This often results in a higher positive potential, but thus produces less energy.

[0071] In summary, the sole purpose of the plants in the upper compartment of our device, which are an optional component of the system, is to maintain the natural biosphere and reduce the visual impact that the energy-generating device may have on the natural environment.

[0072] Example 2: Electrical performance of power installations

[0073] The feasibility of this invention is demonstrated by using a container filled with a rich horticultural substrate, with a total side dimension of 37 cm and a volume of approximately 11 cm³ for each compartment. 3 It is performed using a two-compartment device. The electrodes (anode and cathode) made of graphite felt have an area of ​​0.36 m². 2 The device was tested over time by performing IV and power curve analysis. The results demonstrated the feasibility and good performance of the device in generating 3085 J of energy within one month.

[0074] exist Figure 5 In the figure, the maximum power value obtained from the daily power curve is shown and increases over time, indicating good bacterial growth on the anode.

[0075] also, Figure 6It exhibits good anode performance, where the anode potential changes very little with increasing current.

[0076] Example 3: Comparison of bilayer and monolayer bio-cells

[0077] 3.1 Purpose

[0078] A key challenge associated with bio-batteries for real-world applications is their implementation and operation in natural environments. In the case of batteries based on soil organic matter and microorganisms, the performance and efficiency of energy production are closely related to soil properties. Therefore, the characteristics and quality of the soil at the implementation site affect the operation and energy performance of these devices, resulting in significant variability and uncertainty. The aim of this experiment is to demonstrate the substantial progress and advantages of the proposed innovation through reduced variability and improved efficiency. This experiment aims to demonstrate that, compared to classic single-layer bio-batteries, double-layer batteries exhibit reduced variability and improved performance.

[0079] 3.2 Experimental Design

[0080] Three different soil types (soils A, B, and C) were compared in terms of current yield and variability using both double-layer and single-layer reactors. In the case of the double-layer reactor, these soils were used to fill the upper portion, while the soil for the biocell (lower portion) was the same: the defined and previously selected soil (soil X) (…). Figure 7 ) Use the same settings to build a total of 2 copies for each different condition.

[0081] An Arduino-based circuit was used to monitor the bio-cells, performing a continuous frequency sweep from maximum voltage to 0V and back to maximum voltage over a 2-hour period. Under these operating conditions, the voltage and current of each cell were acquired.

[0082] Furthermore, the coefficient of variation (VC) of the biocell is calculated as follows, considering the current within the replicate using the same soil and the soil used between different techniques (double-layer and single-layer):

[0083] VC(%) = (SD / X)·100, where X is the mean of the study data group and SD is the standard deviation.

[0084] Samples with a coefficient of variation greater than 30% are considered heterogeneous samples.

[0085] 3.3 Results:

[0086] exist Figure 8The figure represents the average and standard deviation of the current values ​​obtained from studies of replicas under different conditions (three different soils in two different reactors).

[0087] Results obtained by using monolayer cells in different soils ( Figure 8 A) It exhibits high variability, and the obtained current values ​​vary considerably. Table 1 shows the average current obtained over time after day 6 of operation (considering the time for biofilm maturation and reaching a stable value). The value calculated for a conventional monolayer biocell ranges from 77.7 ± 25.72 mA·m. -2 (Soil B) and 1.6 ± 0.75 mA·m -2 The VC of the replicates ranged from 73.42% (soil A) to 33.09% (soil B). In all cases, the VC of the homogeneous samples was above the 30% limit.

[0088] Despite using different soils, the two-layer reactors exhibited more stable and similar current values. Figure 8 B). Therefore, in all cases, the average current in these reactors is between 74.26 ± 22.07 mA·m. -2 With 97.54±22.85 mA·m -2 Between these values, the CV of the replicates is less than 30%.

[0089] When comparing the average currents obtained from all soil samples from the two reactors (Table 1), we observed a higher average current value of 87.12 ± 11.83 mA·m in the case of the two-reactor setup. -2 The average current obtained from the single-layer reactor was 39.47 ± 38.05 mA·m. -2 Furthermore, after calculating the CV to assess the variability of each reactor type when using different soils, it was observed that the variability value of the single-layer reactor was greater than that of the two-layer reactor, at 96.4% and 13.57%, respectively.

[0090]

[0091] Table 1: Mean and standard deviation of current density obtained after biofilm growth and current generation stabilization, and coefficients of variation calculated between replicas using the same soil and different soils using the same type of reactor.

[0092] 3.4 Conclusion:

[0093] The experiments conducted and the results obtained demonstrate that:

[0094] - There are problems in transferring these technologies to the natural environment because the installation environment greatly affects the energy performance of bio-batteries.

[0095] -The enormous variability exhibited by traditional devices makes them commercially unviable.

[0096] The proposed innovative solution, the bilayer bio-battery, represents a significant improvement in reducing variability and increasing stability in current production processes.

Claims

1. A double layer bio-battery for producing energy, comprising: - a lower compartment having a lower part as an anode and a higher part as a cathode, and further comprising a wet matrix between the lower part and the higher part, wherein the wet matrix comprises at least one electrogenic microorganism and at least one electron donor; - an upper compartment open to the outside, in contact with an environment capable of supplying at least one electron donor, and configured to transfer a liquid to the lower compartment by a conducting means, the liquid being selected from: water; a leachate from the matrix; or a combination of water and the leachate; - a conducting means for transporting at least one electron acceptor from the outside through a gap between the lower compartment and the upper compartment to the cathode of the lower compartment; and - at least one filter having a pore size of 0.2 pm or more, wherein the double layer bio-battery for producing energy is enclosed in a box-like piece having an upper side open to the outside.

2. The double layer bio-battery for energy production according to claim 1, wherein, The wet matrix comprises an organic substance as the at least one electron donor.

3. The double layer bio-battery for energy production according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The at least one electron donor from the environment in contact with the upper compartment open to the outside is an organic substance.

4. The double layer bio-battery for energy production according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The at least one electron acceptor transported from the outside through a gap between the lower compartment and the upper compartment to the cathode of the lower compartment by the conducting means is air comprising oxygen or is oxygen only.

5. The double layer bio-battery for energy production according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The anode is made of graphite felt or carbon, and the cathode is made of graphite felt, platinum or platinum combined with carbon.

6. The double layer bio-battery for energy production according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The double layer bio-battery further comprises at least one living or non-living organism in the upper compartment, the organism comprising archaea, bacteria, actinobacteria, fungi, algae, protozoa and soil animals.

7. The double layer bio-battery for energy production according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The double layer bio-battery further comprises at least one non-electrogenic microorganism.

8. The double layer bio-battery for energy production according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The double layer bio-battery further comprises at least one non-electrogenic microorganism, the at least one electrogenic microorganism and / or the at least one non-electrogenic microorganism being from a single genus, or in case of more than one genus, the at least one electrogenic microorganism and / or the at least one non-electrogenic microorganism being a combination of microorganisms from different genera.

9. The double layer bio-battery for energy production according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, A separator is present between the anode and the cathode in the lower compartment.

10. The double layer bio-battery for energy production according to claim 9, wherein, The separator is an ion exchange membrane.

11. The double layer bio-battery for energy production according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The double layer bio-battery further comprises at least one of: - a conducting means for driving liquid to the outside of the double layer bio-battery in case of liquid excess; - at least one piston; and - at least one valve.

12. The double layer bio-battery for energy production according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The double layer bio-battery further comprises an energy storage system.

13. The double layer bio-battery for energy production according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The double layer bio-battery for producing energy is arranged such that at least one plant is arranged on the upper compartment for protecting the double layer bio-battery from atmospheric and / or humidity variations.

14. Use of the double layer bio-battery according to any one of claims 1 to 13 for producing and / or storing energy.

15. Use of a double layer biobattery according to any one of claims 1 to 13 for producing gas and simultaneously producing and / or storing energy when applying an external electric current to the double layer biobattery.

16. The use according to claim 15, wherein, The gas is methane.

17. Use of a double layer biobattery according to any one of claims 1 to 13 for producing gas when applying an external electric current to the double layer biobattery.

18. The use according to claim 17, wherein, The gas is hydrogen.

Images