Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 7, 2026
07:58
Cell-Free DNA Integrity Analysis in Urine Samples
Published on: January 5, 2017
14.3K
PEE POWER® urinal II - Urinal scale-up with microbial fuel cell scale-down for improved lighting
Xavier Alexis Walter1, Irene Merino-Jiménez1, John Greenman1
1Bristol BioEnergy Centre (B-BiC), Bristol Robotics Laboratory, T-Block, Frenchay Campus, University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol, BS16 1QY, United Kingdom.
Journal of Power Sources
|July 19, 2018
Summary
This study demonstrates a novel microbial fuel cell (MFC) system powered by urine, achieving significant energy generation and waste reduction in a real-world festival setting. The improved MFC design offers a sustainable power source for decentralized applications.
Area of Science:
- Renewable Energy Technologies
- Environmental Engineering
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer a promising avenue for decentralized energy generation using organic waste.
- Previous MFC designs fueled by urine were primarily tested under controlled laboratory conditions.
- Assessing real-world feasibility is crucial for the practical implementation of MFC technology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the performance of a novel MFC system fueled by undiluted urine in a practical, uncontrolled field setting.
- To determine optimal operating parameters for power generation and wastewater treatment in a real-world application.
- To compare the efficiency and footprint of the new MFC system against previous iterations.
Main Methods:
- A bespoke stack of 12 MFC modules was deployed as a self-sufficient lit urinal system at a music festival.
- Laboratory investigations were conducted to establish baseline performance metrics.
- Field data on power output, hydraulic retention time (HRT), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and total nitrogen removal were collected under uncontrolled usage.
Main Results:
- The MFC system demonstrated continuous power production (≈150 mW) with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 44 hours in laboratory conditions.
- In the field trial, optimal power production occurred with an HRT between 2.5 and 9 hours.
- The system achieved a 48% reduction in COD and a 13% reduction in total nitrogen at an HRT of approximately 11.7 hours.
Conclusions:
- The field-trial confirmed the feasibility of urine-fueled MFCs as a practical power source for decentralized applications.
- The novel MFC design represents a significant technological improvement, achieving higher COD removal and energy output with a reduced footprint compared to previous systems.
- The system demonstrates potential for sustainable energy generation and wastewater treatment in off-grid or event-based scenarios.
Related Concept Videos
01:32Filtration and Urine Formation
53.8K
The function of the kidneys is to filter, reabsorb, secrete, and excrete. Every day the kidneys filter nearly 180 liters of blood, initially removing water and solutes but ultimately returning nearly all filtrates into circulation with the help of osmoregulatory hormones. This process removes wastes and toxins but is also crucial to maintain water and electrolyte levels. Most of these functions are performed by the tiny but numerous nephrons contained within the kidneys.
53.8K
01:26Urine Studies II: Urine Culture and Sensitivity Test
1.2K
A urine culture and sensitivity test is a diagnostic procedure used to identify urinary tract bacterial infections and determine the most effective antibiotics for treatment. This test is generally preferred when a patient shows manifestations of a urinary tract infection, such as frequent or painful urination, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, or lower abdominal pain.Purpose of the TestThe primary goals of a urine culture and sensitivity test are to:Determine the specific bacteria causing the...
1.2K
02:41pH Scale
80.0K
Hydronium and hydroxide ions are present both in pure water and in all aqueous solutions, and their concentrations are inversely proportional as determined by the ion product of water (Kw). The concentrations of these ions in a solution are often critical determinants of the solution’s properties and the chemical behaviors of its other solutes. Two different solutions can differ in their hydronium or hydroxide ion concentrations by a million, billion, or even trillion times. A common means of...
80.0K
01:24Physiology of Urine Formation
12.9K
Urine formation is an essential function of the human body. It plays a critical role in maintaining homeostasis by regulating the volume and composition of body fluids. The kidneys, the primary organs involved in this process, filter blood to remove waste products and excess substances, ultimately producing urine.
Glomerular Filtration
The first stage in urine formation is glomerular filtration. Each kidney contains approximately 1 million nephrons, the functional units of filtration, with a...
Glomerular Filtration
The first stage in urine formation is glomerular filtration. Each kidney contains approximately 1 million nephrons, the functional units of filtration, with a...
12.9K
01:23Formation of Concentrated Urine
3.5K
There is a gradient of solutes in the interstitial fluid from the renal cortex through the medulla, known as the medullary osmotic gradient. The juxtamedullary nephrons establish and maintain this gradient using countercurrent mechanisms with loops extending deep into the medulla. These nephrons also use countercurrent mechanisms to regulate urine volume and concentration. The interaction between the descending and ascending limbs of the nephron loop creates an osmotic gradient through...
3.5K
01:29Urine Studies I: Urinalysis
1.5K
Urinalysis is a widely used diagnostic test that analyzes urine's physical, chemical, and microscopic characteristics. Healthcare providers use it to detect and monitor various health conditions, including renal disease, urinary tract infections (UTIs), diabetes, and metabolic or systemic disorders.Components of UrinalysisUrinalysis consists of three primary components: physical, chemical, and microscopic examination. Each provides unique insights into the urine sample and, by extension, the...
1.5K