Electrochemical device for electricity generation using waste water as a fuel

Thanks to an innovative electrochemical device, this project will add value to organic materials dissolved in waste-water streams by generating electricity upon their electrochemical oxidation in a low cost but high power fuel cell (15 mW/cm2). Large amounts of waste water contaminated with sugars and other high energy organic molecules are currently generated as a result of the industrial activity in sectors including food manufacturers, beverage production, breweries, wineries or biofuel generators. These water streams represent an increasing problem for those industries as expensive and slow water cleaning procedures are mandatory prior to municipal disposal. The system here proposed enables significant carbon dioxide savings and a dramatic drop the energy requirements for water remediation and related costs. Alternative technologies are capital intensive with low electrical generation efficiency (anerobic digestion) or uneconomic (microbiological fuel cells with a power density of less than 2 mW/cm2). Unlike many renewable energy sources, this fuel cell provides continuous and clean electricity generation to support the grid and provide peak shaving.