Belgian Scientists: Urine-To-Drinking-Water Machine
A team of Belgian scientists from a university had created a machine that transforms urine into safe drinking water and fertilizer utilizing solar energy, which can really help rural areas and other developing countries.
In an article by the Reuters, the said system came a team of scientists from the University of Ghent using a special membrane, saying that the system would be energy-efficient and is applicable having no electricity.
“We’re able to recover fertilizer and drinking water from urine using just a simple process and solar energy,” said Sebastiaan Derese, a University of Ghent researcher.
The whole process starts by collecting urine in a big tank, then it is heated in a solar-powered boiler. After that, the heated urine then p(–foul word(s) removed–) the special membrane, separating out the water, and also nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous.
These collected nutrients are intended in making fertilizers.
Using the slogan #peeforscience, the recently deployed the machine at a 10-day music and theater festival in central Ghent, wherein they have recovered 1,000 liters of water from the partygoers’ pee.
Also, the team wanted to try to install the machine at sports venues and airports before giving it to rural areas and other developing countries which could really help in solving water shortage and the need for fertilizers.
Also, Derese added that the team wanted the machine to last and help in a longer period of time.
Meanwhile, in an article by the DailyMail, the said recovered water from pee could even fit in the making one of Belgium’s most coveted specialties – beer.
“We call it from sewer to brewer,” Dr. Derese said.
Having the recovered water from urine, since it would be safe for drinking, there would be more purposes that would come up after its success.
Would you try to drink this water recovered from urine?
