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'Wastewater could be a huge energy producer, not a huge energy cost'

KVAL.com -- CORVALLIS, Ore. – Engineers at Oregon State University have made a breakthrough in the performance of microbial fuel cells that can produce electricity directly from wastewater, opening the door to a future in which waste treatment plants not only will power themselves, but will sell excess electricity.

The new technology developed at OSU can now produce 10 to 50 more times the electricity, per volume, than most other approaches using microbial fuel cells, and 100 times more electricity than some.

Researchers say this could eventually change the way that wastewater is treated all over the world, replacing the widely used “activated sludge” process that has been in use for almost a century. The new approach would produce significant amounts of electricity while effectively cleaning the

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Submitted Aug 14, 2012 By: angel4me

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,834 Points:1,638,195 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 6:58:25 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse we need to think outside the box.
Ahking Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,599 Points:621,360 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Aug 15, 2012 10:04:03 PM Ignore Ahking Report Abuse keep working on it.
sparky808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,144 Points:625,660 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Aug 15, 2012 12:30:23 PM Ignore sparky808 Report Abuse Thank you for posting.
BackwoodsPundit Champion Author Richmond Posts:5,207 Points:1,027,790 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Aug 15, 2012 7:47:58 AM Ignore BackwoodsPundit Report Abuse "What an incredible SMELL you've discovered"
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,600 Points:2,373,210 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Aug 15, 2012 7:13:00 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Fuel cells produce methane from anaerobic digestion and from food processing plant water. Waste water treatment plants will power themselves and sell the extra electricity. Improved microbes, reduced anode-cathode spacing, improved separator materials, no production of unwanted hydrogen sulfide. Biodegrade human waste with aerobic digestion and bacteria to oxidize the organic matter. There are other organic materials that can be used to produce electricity. May have to chemically treat the waste water out of the fuel cell before disposal. This is good for remote locations where access to electricity is limited and sewage treatment is difficult or impossible. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. Consider using other forms of less expensive transportation to lower your cost. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
GasFreeLeaf Champion Author Orange County Posts:1,262 Points:484,575 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Aug 15, 2012 2:25:41 AM Ignore GasFreeLeaf Report Abuse Just do it.
abacus44 Champion Author Toms River Posts:3,605 Points:774,015 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Aug 15, 2012 12:01:27 AM Ignore abacus44 Report Abuse Sounds good, hope it is viable.
southrob Champion Author Tucson Posts:3,741 Points:715,875 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 11:25:56 PM Ignore southrob Report Abuse lets try it
rahcat Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:2,682 Points:690,770 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 11:18:16 PM Ignore rahcat Report Abuse Promising but, no subsidies.
bonzoonfmb Champion Author Florida Posts:1,817 Points:664,910 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 11:13:47 PM Ignore bonzoonfmb Report Abuse Sounds like good technology but I doubt that it will ever be viable.
12766 Champion Author New York Posts:2,584 Points:1,511,115 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 11:06:14 PM Ignore 12766 Report Abuse OK
1fulltank Champion Author Buffalo Posts:8,041 Points:1,571,970 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 11:05:42 PM Ignore 1fulltank Report Abuse Well we certainly have plenty of that.
jrschl Champion Author Louisville Posts:3,107 Points:708,765 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 11:03:52 PM Ignore jrschl Report Abuse Potentially interesting.
a14morfun Champion Author Ontario Posts:11,963 Points:2,101,015 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 11:00:54 PM Ignore a14morfun Report Abuse 'Shocking' new technology! Excellent!
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:11,306 Points:1,651,020 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:59:38 PM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse Beyond wastewater.
Benz98 Veteran Author Modesto Posts:370 Points:21,285 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:59:03 PM Ignore Benz98 Report Abuse ok
barbs24 Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:3,282 Points:2,068,455 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:45:53 PM Ignore barbs24 Report Abuse Wonderful progress for a great purpose
carloco75 Champion Author Richmond Posts:3,852 Points:627,780 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:43:19 PM Ignore carloco75 Report Abuse Solar energy could have solved alot of energy problems...but that would "could" got in the way...
Jeeputtputt Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,002 Points:677,465 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:42:52 PM Ignore Jeeputtputt Report Abuse sounds good on paper.....
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,174 Points:1,755,920 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:39:24 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse go figure
Prodaddy Champion Author Houston Posts:8,521 Points:1,922,885 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:38:06 PM Ignore Prodaddy Report Abuse We need to get moving on this
eswi Champion Author Madison Posts:2,686 Points:711,080 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:37:11 PM Ignore eswi Report Abuse OK
monieet All-Star Author California Posts:984 Points:552,160 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:36:03 PM Ignore monieet Report Abuse got it.
TWS658 Champion Author Portland Posts:4,543 Points:950,875 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:33:40 PM Ignore TWS658 Report Abuse Ok.
dirt girl Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:36,090 Points:3,099,800 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:29:01 PM Ignore dirt girl Report Abuse Does this mean that Milorganite will be going out of business? ;)
Mermaan Champion Author Boston Posts:1,572 Points:421,235 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:25:54 PM Ignore Mermaan Report Abuse Really glad to see this in real life
PoohMcGoo Champion Author Alabama Posts:3,127 Points:823,335 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:24:30 PM Ignore PoohMcGoo Report Abuse Sounds like a dirty job.
wayoung56 Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,925 Points:845,985 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:23:09 PM Ignore wayoung56 Report Abuse Interesting article...
ats621 Champion Author Tampa Posts:1,238 Points:326,990 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:22:41 PM Ignore ats621 Report Abuse Good
NhCobra Sophomore Author New Hampshire Posts:109 Points:447,220 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:22:39 PM Ignore NhCobra Report Abuse Just so y'all know that I don't poo-poo over EVERYTHING alternative... this sounds interesting.
jbrad4 All-Star Author Dallas Posts:809 Points:499,730 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:21:42 PM Ignore jbrad4 Report Abuse Great alternative energy source.
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,450 Points:1,666,620 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:21:31 PM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse KEEP THINKING HARD AMERICA!
drobbbb Champion Author Maryland Posts:3,595 Points:837,985 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:20:42 PM Ignore drobbbb Report Abuse this could be a major breakthough for the economy and the environment
FlogNut Champion Author Chicago Posts:104,865 Points:2,016,350 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:18:04 PM Ignore FlogNut Report Abuse Get back to us when they can produce power economically without taxpayer money.
camel1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:8,410 Points:2,294,315 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:17:31 PM Ignore camel1 Report Abuse ok
serrog Champion Author Nova Scotia Posts:5,710 Points:1,540,805 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:12:15 PM Ignore serrog Report Abuse ok
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:10,004 Points:1,641,675 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:11:42 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse This sounds like a major breakthrough. There is a lot of wastewater available and most of it is located near population centers where electricity is needed. A win-win it seems.
REKEY Champion Author South Carolina Posts:8,723 Points:1,727,095 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:09:58 PM Ignore REKEY Report Abuse Great idea!
hauler43 Champion Author Oakland Posts:8,158 Points:2,597,750 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:08:41 PM Ignore hauler43 Report Abuse Great
Holly123 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:3,337 Points:817,685 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:07:36 PM Ignore Holly123 Report Abuse Lol FlyNfool!!!
FlyNFool Champion Author South Carolina Posts:8,384 Points:1,712,900 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:05:35 PM Ignore FlyNFool Report Abuse S--t happens!
regout Champion Author Quebec Posts:3,095 Points:860,405 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:04:33 PM Ignore regout Report Abuse Ok.
s6sputnik Champion Author Austin Posts:6,337 Points:1,333,870 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:04:26 PM Ignore s6sputnik Report Abuse One flush at a time?
blah2blah3 Champion Author Houston Posts:2,746 Points:628,570 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:02:38 PM Ignore blah2blah3 Report Abuse Ok
John747 Champion Author Chicago Posts:474,705 Points:3,652,835 Joined:Aug 2001	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:02:00 PM Ignore John747 Report Abuse Let's see if they can get money from private investors or whether they need to go to the "Bank of Washington."
SalukiCO Sophomore Author Colorado Springs Posts:199 Points:243,295 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 10:01:07 PM Ignore SalukiCO Report Abuse Hook that thing up to the US House sewer system and we will make a fortune!
CPGas1815 Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,034 Points:1,101,695 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 9:56:53 PM Ignore CPGas1815 Report Abuse I reside about a quarter mile from our water plant. When the wind blows from the south I have to close my windows due to the noxious fumes emanating from the water plant.
DustyHorse Champion Author Virginia Posts:6,224 Points:1,417,780 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 9:55:35 PM Ignore DustyHorse Report Abuse Sounds to good to be true!
dky63 Veteran Author Illinois Posts:417 Points:166,965 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 9:55:11 PM Ignore dky63 Report Abuse Kinda a new meaning to Black Gold
sydb7 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,657 Points:1,941,890 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Aug 14, 2012 9:53:45 PM Ignore sydb7 Report Abuse Good idea! Is it practical?