O2 Env interviewed by Renewable Energy World about Microbial Fuel Cells
Paul O’Callaghan was recently interviewed for an Inside Renewable Energy feature on one of the newest technologies in the water technology industry – Microbial Fuel Cells (MEC). This exciting new technology uses a special type of bacteria, known as exo-electrogens, which can generate electricity while treating wastewater. Even relatively low strength Wastewater, such as municipal wastewater, contains energy. In fact the chemical energy in the wastewater produced by a person could power a 100 Watt light bulb for five hours. When you multiply that up, across the cities of the world, it becomes significant, and could turn wastewater treatment, from being a net energy user, to a net energy producer. The bacteria grow on electrodes and convert the chemical energy in the wastewater, into electrical energy. A number of companies are now going to market with these technologies, with initial applications in industrial wastewater, such as breweries and paper mills. Going a step further, the Australian company Bilexys is using the same technology to generate hydrogen gas (which is five times more valuable than electricity) at one quarter of the voltage required to generate the same amount through electrolysis. Other high-value chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide or caustic soda can also be generated.
To find out more, listen to the podcast here:
