Using the power of pee in your hydrogen generator... - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

suspectnumber961 · 12-30-2009, 10:24 AM

The Toilet Than Can Help Solve Our Water and Energy Problems | | AlterNet

It turns out that urine -- the world's most abundant waste -- could become the "fuel of the future." Ohio University researcher Geradine Botte has developed a catalyst that can extract hydrogen fuel from urine. While it takes 1.23 volts to split two hydrogen atoms from H2O, it only takes 0.37 volts to strip four hydrogen atoms from a urea molecule. That's twice as much hydrogen for one-third the effort. The Royal Society of Chemistry's journal, Chemical Communications, confirms Botte's discovery: "While water is an increasingly limited essential resource," the journal notes, "there will never be a lack of urine."

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Main issue would be amps used per L/minute HHO produced

Piwoslaw · 12-30-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suspectnumber961

a catalyst that [...] only takes 0.37 volts to strip four hydrogen atoms from a urea molecule.

Wow. Please do not smoke while peeing on the catalyst. I take it the catalyst is not something usually found in boyscout campfires?

Seriously: What is left over when urea loses 4 H atoms? Is it more/less toxic? How can it be disposed/recycled?

jamesqf · 12-30-2009, 12:18 PM

IIRC urea is CH4N2O, so a simple breakdown would give you hydrogen, nitrogen, and carbon monoxide.

But like most "something for nothing" stories, this glosses over a few minor problems, as for instance the fact that the average person doesn't output more than a few grams per day. It's also of far more value as a fertilizer, and in fact a lot is synthesized for that.

rgathright · 12-30-2009, 02:16 PM

The Japanese made a toilet that creates electricity years ago.

Funny, how we never saw this go into mass production.

Honestly, lazy Americans (if this is ever developed) will expect someone else to clean and maintain these systems. We cannot even product a plug in hybrid in North America, much less a Hydrogen powered one. Ha!