IIT-Palakkad Researchers Generate Renewable Energy From Human Urine
Research team from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Palakkad introduced an innovative method to generate energy and bio-fertilizer from human urine. By using the self-driven electrochemical resource recovery reactor, the IIT team successfully produced both the electricity and biofertilizer.
The research is published in the prestigious journal ‘Separation and Purification Technology’ under the title ‘Stale urine catalyzed resource recovery from source-separated urine using magnesium air fuel cell’. IIT addressed the escalating global energy demand and promoted sustainable practices via this research. As the world struggles to lessen the effects of climate change and lessen its reliance on finite and dirty fossil fuels, renewable energy solutions have gained importance.
The innovative technology utilised the ionic strength of urine and induced electrochemical reaction to generate electricity and create Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Magnesium rich biofertilizer.
#DeccanHerald @PalakkadIIT #researchers turn urine into #energy & #biofertilizer; project funded by #SEED Division of @IndiaDST. @DrJitendraSingh @karandi65 @DrAnitaAgg13https://t.co/TwovJ4Pq8Z
— DSTIndia (@IndiaDST) February 16, 2024
In an official release, IIT informed about the integrated technology using an electrochemical reactor, ammonia adsorption column, decolorisation and chlorination, plumbing, and electrical manifolds. The Electrochemical resource recovery reactor (ERRR) employs Magnesium as an anode and air carbon as a cathode to trigger electrochemical reactions to produce electricity and biofertilizers. The resulting biofertilizer is rich in essential nutrients and releases fertilizers slowly in plant crops, contributing to sustainable agriculture practices.
The official release said that 50 cells can produce 500 milliwatts (mW) of power and a voltage of 7-12 volts per cycle, resulting in 10 grams of fertilizer every 24-48 hours. IIT informed that it is currently at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4 and undergoing laboratory validation before its widespread implementation.
The team, led by Dr Praveena Gangadharan, Assistant Professor, IIT, includes research scholars Sangeetha V, Sreejith P M, and Rinu Anna Koshy from the Department of Civil Engineering. The project is funded by the Science for Equity Empowerment and Development (SEED) division under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), GoI.
It is widely acknowledged that utilizing renewable energy sources is essential to advancing sustainable development, which tries to satisfy the requirements of the current generation without endangering the future.
India”s demand for energy is continuously rising to support the nation”s ongoing plans for economic expansion. An essential prerequisite for the expansion of a country”s economy is the increasing availability of energy. The Ministry of Power (MoP)”s National Electricity Plan (NEP) has produced a comprehensive 10-year action plan to supply energy to the entire country.
