Power Sludge.

• Autores: Charles Choi
• Localización: Scientific American, ISSN 0036-8733, Vol. 290, Nº. 5, 2004, págs. 38-38
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • This article discusses the use of wastewater as a possible source of electricity. Roughly 33 billion gallons of wastewater are treated daily in the U.S. at an annual cost of more than $25 billion.A microbe-based device could offset the expense by generating electricity as it cleans sewage. The fuel cell, consisting in part of electrodes made of graphite and a carbon-plastic-platinum catalyst membrane, fills with wastewater. The germs in the sludge generate free electrons as their enzymes break down sugars, proteins and fats. Environmental engineers at Pennsylvania State University say that their hand-size gadget could incorporate alternative materials to generate 10 to 20 times as much power.