Turning Wastewater Into Hydrogen Fuel
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Finding a green fuel that is cheap and plentiful enough to replace fossil fuels is one of the biggest challenges that humans face - Not only because of the global warming issues, but also, because fossil fuels are a finite source. While hydrogen is a viable replacement, it does not occur naturally and to produce it, takes energy from 'dirty' fossil fuels - Now, there may be a solution.
Researchers from Pennsylvania State University have devised a radical, energy-efficient way to extract unlimited amounts of hydrogen from wastewater, using seawater and, some special bacteria.
Since 2009, the team led by the Professor of Environmental Engineering, Bruce Logan, has been conducting tests with bacteria that are capable of releasing hydrogen from wastewater. Once they were able to figure out the 'right combination' of bacteria needed for the optimal extraction of hydrogen, they had to come with a 'clean' way to provide the bacteria with the energy it needed to eat through the wastewater.
That's when they thought of a brilliant idea - Reverse Desalination! They figured that since the process of removing salt from seawater takes up energy, doing the opposite would release energy. So, if they could find a source of seawater close to a wastewater treatment plant and hitch the two together, it should in principal at least, give the bacteria enough 'fuel' to work and produce hydrogen - Which could then be captured in a hydrogen production plant.
Turns out, they were absolutely right. However, as with most of these ingenious ideas, this one works perfectly in the laboratory - Now, they have to test further and see if it works on a large scale and more importantly, if it makes economical sense. We sure hope so - For not only does it take care of our fuel needs, but also, helps clean up our wastewater!
Resources: gizmag.com, fastcompany.com, physorg.com
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134 Comments
- Tymir bar imana brogdonover 12 years1 fossll fuels is one of the biggest challenges that humans face 2It take energy from dirty
- Ashiyah over 12 yearsHydrogen can be a viable replacement. Removing salt from seawater can waste alot of energy.
- Trevon Fleming over 12 yearsPeople made the wastewater and salt in the sea. I learned that people buy small gas tancks so they don't wast out. People put salt in the sea cause if stuff if a fish get in it it will dy.
- ashley Essoh NASHERA FLEMINGover 12 yearsONE thing i learn is that not only does a ECONMICAL TAKE CARE OF OUR FUEL NEEDS , BUT ALSO , HELP CLEAN UP OUR WASTWATER
- Meccasimmons Dajah .Sover 12 years1. I just learned that since 2009 the team led by the professor. 2. I learned that when the water is dirty they call it fossil fuel. 3.
- Zabree christmas-Smithover 12 yearsI Learned About That Finding The green fuel that is cheap and pleniful enough to replace fossll fuels is one of the
- Kahnyah Jubeover 12 yearsI learn that to take care of fuel need. I learn that foil is in ground
- Saabirah and Skyover 12 years1.I learned that replacing fuel is the biggest challenege. 2.Since 2009 the team followed the professer. 3.removing salt from the sea take up energy.
- Jaheem,13/amber,14 over 12 yearsI learned how to ciean out fuel and prouduce them I learned that you have to save fuel I learned that we never run out of water if it rain
- bree over 12 yearscool stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! helped me a lot in class thank yuuu ALOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
