New publications
The new treatment system runs on its own wastes
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Every person needs a toilet, in the United States alone more than 45 trillion liters of waste end up in wastewater. This rather dirty process results in the release of huge amounts of greenhouse gases. Even more energy is spent by factories and power plants cleaning wastewater from impurities.
A group of specialists has designed a new method that will help recycle wastewater using its own waste, while absorbing carbon dioxide from the air. In addition, the new method allows the production of renewable automotive fuel using hydrogen cells.
The specialists called their development a microbial electrolytic method for capturing CO2. Wastewater purification is based on an electrochemical reaction and is environmentally friendly. The method allows for the absorption of carbon dioxide an order of magnitude greater than required for operation, while simultaneously producing a renewable energy source.
According to one of the developers of the new method, Jason Ren from the University of Colorado, the new method has three advantages over other existing methods. The purification system works with the help of special bacteria that extract carbon from the water. As a result, chemical energy is converted into electrical energy, which helps split the water.
During operation, hydrogen gas is created, which can also be used as a fuel or an environmentally friendly energy source. When water is split, it combines with calcium and forms calcium hydroxide, which helps to capture carbon dioxide from the air and convert it into limestone, which in turn is useful in construction.
The developers say the system could work at coal-fired power plants, which produce huge amounts of wastewater and carbon emissions. The president also says power plants need to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions, and the new system could come in handy.
Jason Ren noted that businesses spend huge amounts of money on wastewater treatment, and they also have to spend money on treating their own solid waste.
One example cited was one company that was fined more than $100 million for leaking coal ash into a local river.
There are also large costs associated with collecting carbon dioxide emissions, so the new cleaning system will help businesses reduce their emissions and save money.
The researchers are still testing the new system in action to confirm its effectiveness, but the developers have already received offers from large public utilities interested in the new wastewater treatment system.
Of course, there are some technological problems, but experts are confident that they can cope with them.
The cost of the new system is still unknown, and experts cannot say how effective it will be in use.
[