The present invention discloses a new type of biofuel cell, based on the
microbial regeneration of the oxidant, ferric ions. The bio-fuel cell is
based on the cathodic reduction of ferric to ferrous ions, coupled with
the microbial regeneration of ferric ions by the oxidation of ferrous
ions, with fuel (such as hydrogen) oxidation on the anode. The microbial
regeneration of ferric ions is achieved by chemolithotrophic
microorganisms such as Acidithiobacillus ferroxidans. Electrical
generation is coupled with the consumption of carbon dioxide from
atmosphere and its transformation into microbial cells, which can be used
as a single-cell protein.