Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Hydrogen
Oregon State University: New Microbial Fuel Cell generates electricity from waste
We have run with stories regarding fuel cells which produce electricity using bacteria before, so the technology being shown off by Oregon State University is not particularly new. But, the amount of electricity being generated using such a solution is in fact a big increase. What I find really interesting is the applications that the University researchers can see for their new fuel cell. Did you know that 5 percent of all the electricity consumed in the U.S. was used for the treatment of water and waste water? I didn't. Being that this waste water is an excellent source for bacteria and the "food" for them to feed off, the idea is that the electricity generated could feed back into the plant while the clean water that is produced from the fuel cell could feed back into the fresh water output. Using a method such as this could have a big impact in developing countries, and could even find use in smaller applications like rural and remote homes in the States. Renewable energy using your own waste, how lovely!
[Source: Oregon State University]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Michael Hippenhammer 12:49AM (8/31/2007)
I am waiting for someone to invent a bio-digester for septic tanks. We could use the gas for cooking, heating and transportation. My neighborhood has at least 5000 septic systems and probably about 30,000 in the whole city.
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Tormod Henne 4:43AM (8/31/2007)
I believe this has been invented many times.
I googled "biogas digester for septic tanks" and got 16800 hits. Must be some useful stuff there. Problem is, as always, investment vs. payback.
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bill 9:39AM (8/31/2007)
This may have potential due to the vast amount of waste we have in Oregon. We have a great many liberals in Oregon - what a waste. We have a great many bicycle riders who think the rules of the road do not apply to them - another waste. We have a governor who thinks state park leash laws for dogs do not apply to him - another waste. Our road and bridge repair money is being spent on light rail, buses, and bike paths - another waste until a bridge falls in the water - then more money will be needed to continue wasting. Yes, Oregon is full of waste, so any project using waste is a good thing.
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