Human excrement is also a powerful source of energy. Here are five original ways in which they are used
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himYou all know by now what biomass is. It is about details renewable energy sources obtained starting from the biological material produced by living organisms and their by-products, such as food waste, wood, excrement. It has recently been found that human feces and waste are also excellent biomass.
For this reason, many companies are looking for new solutions to obtain energia using these, let's call them, daily waste products. The best way to do this is the so-called “anaerobic digestion”, a process in which these substances are treated in the sewers to produce biogas composed of methane and carbon dioxide. And here are the five ideas collected by Ecofriend to succeed in this special (and not very fragrant!) practice.
1. WC LooWatt
To transform human excrement into energy, Virginia Gardiner has developed this nice toilet particularly suitable for developing countries, since it does not use water and, above all, it is able to produce energy using human waste. System with reduced cost and maximum efficiency. Don't believe it? Watch the video here
2. VW Beetle convertible
This special "beetle" uses the fuel as fuel biogas produced from waste water. Designed by a team of British engineers and nicknamed “Bio-bug“, the special car exploits the potential of compressed methane gas that is produced from specially treated human waste. Despite being powered by biogas, the car has an astounding speed. Request. Will the exhaust fumes have a peculiar smell?
3. Human waste for the hydrogen car
The Orange County Sanitation District has already been realizing the idea of convert human waste into hydrogen and use it as fuel. And already many cars are powered by this special substance.
4. An Indian machine produces biogas from any organic substance
A real digestive tank produced by Sintex, capable of slowly converting organic waste into methane, which is then destined for the most varied uses.
5. From organic waste the fuel for cooking
The idea may make picky people wrinkle their noses, but it's brilliant. United Utilities has already prepared an investment equal to 4 million and 300 thousand pounds for the construction of purification plants that can generate gas to "feed" hundreds of thousands of people. Thanks to human waste.
What does the use of human waste in terms of environmental impact? The main advantage is the valorisation of solid waste, secondly it would be possible to protect natural resources while also obtaining evident benefits in terms of reducing the greenhouse effect and finally the recycled waste could be used as natural fertilizer, as they are far better than the chemical products used today for agriculture.
As he said Lavoisier, nothing is created, nothing destroys but everything is transformed. And he was right.
Francesca Mancuso
