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US Researchers Build Wastewater Energy Generator

energydigital.com -- Researchers from Penn State come up with a device that not only treats wastewater, but generates electricity

A new technique that combines two forms of renewable energy — using bacteria and saltwater — generates more electricity than either alone, while cleaning wastewater at the same time.

Researchers at Pennsylvania State University recently built the prototype device that both generates electricity from wastewater while simultaneously treating it.

The technique could be adopted in developing countries to provide clean water and power for homes, according to the team.

Domestic wastewater contains nine times more chemical energy than the energy required to treat it —an amount that would be nearly enough to maintain the entire US water infrastructure, according to the researche

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Submitted Mar 05, 2012 By: teafortwo

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teafortwo Champion Author Washington Posts:22,112 Points:1,385,965 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2012 4:42:05 PM Ignore teafortwo Report Abuse This is such a basic and simple concept. Wastewater aka sewage, is created every time we flush. There is a tremendous amount of energy left in wastewater. Water treatment plants filter and process this wastewater to remove harmful bacteria, etc. Taking an energy intensive community necessity and making it into energy producing? While still serving the original purpose? That is a win win. This article is about a functioning prototype. These systems could be a good investment for new communities to consider, or for a community that needs to update an old system. This is the type of thinking that makes an up front equipment investment pay for itself because of its long term energy savings while reducing demand from our aging electrical grid. What a concept ;0}
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,632 Points:1,610,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 8, 2012 6:09:00 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse we need innovative energy thinking.
DOS All-Star Author Illinois Posts:668 Points:929,995 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 1:32:02 PM Ignore DOS Report Abuse Odd how the author seemed to bounce back and forth from US to helping developing countries. I wonder how far this technology is from being deployable? I suppose they figure these type of waste treatment systems might be more rapidly installed in areas that don't currently have adequate waste disposal systems in place and then brought back to the US after the technology has proven itself over seas? Nice to know that these kind of things are on the harrison thought.. I personally don't mind at all that our educational institutions are the ones developing the idea.. Good for Penn State!
puinsai808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,544 Points:727,305 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 10:10:04 AM Ignore puinsai808 Report Abuse Cool.
fuel2use Champion Author Seattle Posts:3,488 Points:733,325 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 9:52:23 AM Ignore fuel2use Report Abuse Try it out, see where it goes.
Hop1LA Champion Author Baton Rouge Posts:3,314 Points:1,176,495 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 8:18:29 AM Ignore Hop1LA Report Abuse "Researchers at Penn State" means government is involved in finding solutions.
scu227 Champion Author New Haven Posts:4,152 Points:771,880 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 8:04:07 AM Ignore scu227 Report Abuse Sounds good, now keep government out of the mix.
doeslayersr Champion Author Illinois Posts:9,116 Points:872,005 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:43:48 AM Ignore doeslayersr Report Abuse Ok, it looks like all the pollution and energy problems have been solved.... NEXT?
DYSKYPILOT Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:2,902 Points:626,455 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:42:01 AM Ignore DYSKYPILOT Report Abuse EPA (greenies at work).
bar1035 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:9,164 Points:1,299,155 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:40:07 AM Ignore bar1035 Report Abuse So who wants a fresh glass of water?
Senrac Champion Author Lincoln Posts:1,594 Points:305,635 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:37:19 AM Ignore Senrac Report Abuse nuke the epa and be done with this pissant of an organization
rtw777 Champion Author Florida Posts:9,401 Points:1,842,970 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:35:46 AM Ignore rtw777 Report Abuse It doesn't matter what the EPA or anyone says if the company sells it outside the US.
chvytruk All-Star Author Kentucky Posts:771 Points:377,785 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:32:53 AM Ignore chvytruk Report Abuse BRILLIANT IDEA!! But have no doubt the environmental terrorists will kick and scream, and the EPA will find a way to regulate that to death as well.
tbgasmizer Champion Author Ontario Posts:6,053 Points:1,230,620 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:32:11 AM Ignore tbgasmizer Report Abuse Good work . Now create a vehicle that does not run on gas or electricity.
Bonanza Champion Author Boston Posts:12,093 Points:2,551,980 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:19:52 AM Ignore Bonanza Report Abuse How long will it take to implement it?
lbrinkmn Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,739 Points:1,837,715 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:18:15 AM Ignore lbrinkmn Report Abuse ok
cherican Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,593 Points:1,066,120 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:16:43 AM Ignore cherican Report Abuse Get on with it...
BBHybrid Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:6,469 Points:1,295,025 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:11:57 AM Ignore BBHybrid Report Abuse we need to end speculation. now. save america...
WVUtailgater Champion Author Cleveland Posts:8,436 Points:1,699,435 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:10:09 AM Ignore WVUtailgater Report Abuse keep the think tank money flowing. Maybe after a few billion, we will find something that will pay back 25% of the money invested
fcdriver Champion Author Tennessee Posts:7,253 Points:1,474,805 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:08:11 AM Ignore fcdriver Report Abuse whats next
hcivic Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,854 Points:2,265,715 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:08:09 AM Ignore hcivic Report Abuse ok
RAJNY All-Star Author New York Posts:575 Points:432,145 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:07:15 AM Ignore RAJNY Report Abuse K
feistyfella All-Star Author Georgia Posts:881 Points:193,995 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:07:02 AM Ignore feistyfella Report Abuse That's the waste!
RockCity Champion Author Denver Posts:7,915 Points:1,428,085 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:06:06 AM Ignore RockCity Report Abuse Wowsers, hopefully, with all the fracking going on, the device will be able to clean out the benzine from the probable chance of water contamination, perhaps.
THEDodgeman Champion Author Denver Posts:8,002 Points:1,948,490 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:05:59 AM Ignore THEDodgeman Report Abuse ?????????ok
bondo Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,511 Points:762,760 Joined:May 2001	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:05:36 AM Ignore bondo Report Abuse Good for them.
ILikeToSave Sophomore Author Texas Posts:138 Points:382,440 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:04:53 AM Ignore ILikeToSave Report Abuse I am waiting for the regulators to get involved, then they will mess it up.
tcohio Champion Author Dayton Posts:2,717 Points:809,620 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:04:49 AM Ignore tcohio Report Abuse we'll see
kingofcode Champion Author Florida Posts:1,723 Points:473,965 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:03:49 AM Ignore kingofcode Report Abuse SOUNDS GOOD
friday21 Champion Author Toronto Posts:5,352 Points:686,360 Joined:Jul 2010	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:03:32 AM Ignore friday21 Report Abuse Whatever
JoJoQc Champion Author Montreal Posts:5,336 Points:1,040,155 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:03:02 AM Ignore JoJoQc Report Abuse Hmmmm:-?
speedraider Champion Author Orlando Posts:3,673 Points:1,644,895 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:02:26 AM Ignore speedraider Report Abuse OK
cdrrod Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:4,154 Points:784,525 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:02:11 AM Ignore cdrrod Report Abuse So, is it beneficial to all concerned?
MountedShooter Champion Author Georgia Posts:3,080 Points:741,470 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:02:08 AM Ignore MountedShooter Report Abuse Ok.
joeee922 Rookie Author South Bend Posts:71 Points:583,245 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:01:03 AM Ignore joeee922 Report Abuse cool
nobodyMO Champion Author Kansas City Posts:2,251 Points:554,305 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:00:41 AM Ignore nobodyMO Report Abuse This should do well in washington.
JLSindy Champion Author Cleveland Posts:3,491 Points:674,015 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:00:05 AM Ignore JLSindy Report Abuse I agree with much of what everyone says.
scottydoesnt Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,787 Points:528,945 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 6:59:49 AM Ignore scottydoesnt Report Abuse But . . . is there enough wastewater to impact the power grid ?
bad_sailor Champion Author London Posts:7,783 Points:1,674,320 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 6:57:48 AM Ignore bad_sailor Report Abuse That's nice.
BazooQC Champion Author Montreal Posts:9,710 Points:1,636,450 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 6:57:13 AM Ignore BazooQC Report Abuse Well then go ahead and adopt it. By the way, you probably won't make money with developing countries.
BEngr Champion Author Illinois Posts:6,717 Points:1,580,990 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 6:57:11 AM Ignore BEngr Report Abuse That sound interesting, treating wastewater & generating electricity at the same time. There is little change we will run out of wastewater to treat, but is it cost effective at a full size sewage treatment plant.
gas4433 Champion Author Houston Posts:2,357 Points:546,500 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 6:56:36 AM Ignore gas4433 Report Abuse Ok
FloridaDude12 Veteran Author Cape Coral Posts:472 Points:25,110 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 6:56:28 AM Ignore FloridaDude12 Report Abuse great
rvn4me Champion Author Texas Posts:5,596 Points:1,493,990 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 6:56:27 AM Ignore rvn4me Report Abuse What is it actually going to cost to build this device?
sappie Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:3,501 Points:586,595 Joined:Jul 2010	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 6:56:18 AM Ignore sappie Report Abuse ok.
ultrarnnr Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,574 Points:530,110 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 6:56:18 AM Ignore ultrarnnr Report Abuse That is a good idea!
muquee Champion Author Harrisburg Posts:2,436 Points:523,320 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 6:55:51 AM Ignore muquee Report Abuse Glad to hear it.
hawkman1950 Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,630 Points:541,530 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 6:55:21 AM Ignore hawkman1950 Report Abuse Whatever!!!!!!!
CSharpGuy Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:9,477 Points:1,898,610 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 6:54:30 AM Ignore CSharpGuy Report Abuse Good idea.
GasPriceHelp4u Champion Author Dayton Posts:2,692 Points:569,775 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 6:53:52 AM Ignore GasPriceHelp4u Report Abuse Great idea...just make sure we are not spending a dollar to save a dime!!!