E+Block+-+Wastewater

= = Wastewater

What is wastewater? Wastewater is any water that has been adversely affected in quality by anthropogenic influence. Wastewater is composed of 99.93% water and 0.07% solid waste. Of that 0.07% of solid waste, only half of it is organic in nature. Because of this, the chemistry and process to treat wastewater focuses mainly of the decomposition of the organic matter within wastewater. Wastewater is not only sewage; any disposed water is considered wastewater, such as water that goes down the drains of showers and sinks. Washing machines also produce wastewater.

What are microbial fuel cells? Microbial fuel cells mimic natural bacterial interactions to produce electricity. They are used in the treatment of wastewater.

This is a basic diagram of a microbial fuel cell.

Why do we burn methane? Methane burning provides energy that can be used to heat homes and other commercial buildings. It serves as a nice alternative to non-renuable fuels.

HISTORY: Sewage systems became implemented in the United States in the 19th century. The first MFC was created by Michael C. Potter in 1911.

USAGE OF WASTEWATER IN NEW MEXICO: New Mexico's largest wastewater treatment plant is the Southside Water Reclamation Plant, located in Albuquerque. The plant runs on electricity generated by burning its own methane.



THE SCIENCE BEHIND WASTEWATER: MFCs are very similar to other fuel cells, but the anode side of the fuel cell contains microorganisms. In wastewater treatment facilities, bacteria breaks down solids and produces methane gas. Methane can provide lots of energy and work as a substitute for non-renewable sources of energy. "The most popular method for converting wastewater treatment gas to electricity is using internal combustion engines that run a generator to produce electricity, which is generally used to power internal operations with the excess electricity being sold back to the grid." (http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/pdfs/bamf_wastewater.pdf)

THE PROCESS



BENEFITS: Using wastewater to produce energy is a very useful way of recycling. It takes a byproduct of our waste and converts it into electricity.

DRAWBACKS: It's rather costly to transport the wastewater and clean it (about four billion dollars per year). Also, the process is generally found as gross, and there are health concerns, such as possible pathogens remaining in the treated water.

SOURCES
 * ENERGY STAR for Wastewater Plants and Drinking Water Systems : ENERGY STAR. (n.d.). //Home : ENERGY STAR//. Retrieved December 16, 2012, from http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=water.wastewater_drinking_water
 * Process Energy - Water/Wastewater Efficiency. (n.d.). //California Energy Commission//. Retrieved December 16, 2012, from http://www.energy.ca.gov/process/water/wastewater_treatment.html
 * WASTEWATER COMPOSITION. (n.d.). //ENCYCLOPEDIA OF LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS (EOLSS): HOME PAGE//. Retrieved December 16, 2012, from http://www.eolss.net/EolssSampleChapters/C06/E6-13-04-05/E6-13-04-05-TXT-04.aspx#3._Wastewater_Composition
 * Wastewater - Definition Of by Integrated Engineers Inc.. (n.d.). //Environmental Expert - The Environmental Industry Online//. Retrieved December 16, 2012, from http://www.environmental-expert.com/services/wastewater-definition-of-117681/view-comments
 * cell, c. a., current, w. i., & said., ". L. (n.d.). Electricity from wastewater gets a salty boost - FutureTech on NBCNews.com. //Breaking News & Top Stories - World News, US & Local | NBC News//. Retrieved December 16, 2012, from []
 * Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority - Southside Water Reclamation Plant. (n.d.). //Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority - Home//. Retrieved December 16, 2012, from http://www.abcwua.org/content/view/91/80/
 * Wastewater Treatment Gas to Energy for Federal. (n.d.). //Federal Energy Managementt Prrogrram//. Retrieved December 16, 2012, from []
 * Water Treatment. (n.d.). //Home | Science//. Retrieved December 16, 2012, from http://www.science.uwaterloo.ca/~cchieh/cact