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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:22,133 Points:1,387,790 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:18,643 Points:1,611,470 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:669 Points:930,140 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:3,554 Points:729,255 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 10:10:04 AM Ignore puinsai808 Report Abuse Cool.
fuel2use Champion Author Seattle Posts:3,494 Points:734,370 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:3,324 Points:1,178,445 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:4,162 Points:773,830 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:9,127 Points:873,955 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:2,912 Points:627,655 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:9,172 Points:1,300,170 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:9,406 Points:1,843,945 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:377,810 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:12,099 Points:2,552,955 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:2,744 Points:1,838,690 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:18:15 AM Ignore lbrinkmn Report Abuse ok
cherican Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,600 Points:1,067,135 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:6,474 Points:1,296,000 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:8,446 Points:1,700,635 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:7,258 Points:1,475,780 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:08:11 AM Ignore fcdriver Report Abuse whats next
hcivic Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,864 Points:2,267,665 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:433,895 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:195,495 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:7,921 Points:1,429,810 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:8,007 Points:1,949,465 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:05:59 AM Ignore THEDodgeman Report Abuse ?????????ok
bondo Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,521 Points:764,710 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:383,940 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:5,363 Points:687,335 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:3,683 Points:1,646,845 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 7:02:26 AM Ignore speedraider Report Abuse OK
cdrrod Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:4,164 Points:785,725 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:3,090 Points:743,420 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:584,120 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:3,501 Points:675,215 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:3,792 Points:529,770 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:7,788 Points:1,675,295 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:9,715 Points:1,637,425 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:6,722 Points:1,582,565 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:2,367 Points:547,700 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:5,601 Points:1,494,965 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:3,506 Points:587,570 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:524,070 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:2,635 Points:542,505 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 6:55:21 AM Ignore hawkman1950 Report Abuse Whatever!!!!!!!
CSharpGuy Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:9,482 Points:1,900,335 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2012 6:54:30 AM Ignore CSharpGuy Report Abuse Good idea.
GasPriceHelp4u Champion Author Dayton Posts:2,697 Points:570,750 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!!!