Electricity Production using Zinc-Copper Electrode and Biogas from the Anaerobic Fermentation of Human Urine with Water Treatment

Alyssa Domae  S. Canceran,; Ken Adrian  P. Gaon,; Jaru  C. Punongbayan,

Electricity Production using Zinc-Copper Electrode and Biogas from the Anaerobic Fermentation of Human Urine with Water Treatment

Alyssa Domae S. Canceran | Ken Adrian P. Gaon | Jaru C. Punongbayan

Abstract:

The study employed a descriptive - experimental method for electricity production using a zinc-copper electrode and biogas from the anaerobic fermentation of human urine with water treatment. Specifically, the researchers sought to accomplish the following: 1) determine the amount of biogas produced from fresh urine; 2) identify the voltage value of the biogas; 3) determine the charging time with the addition of biogas to the battery; and 4) determine the capability of the system based on its power capacity. The study had a setup of the human urine storage to test the amount of voltage that can be generated with the help of the biogas on a 12-voltage battery. The actual setup of the project included six batteries with 36 cells. Each cell had an average voltage of 0.70 volts. Results of this study confirmed that the amount of urine on the container is directly proportional to the voltage that it generates on the electrodes. Thus, the longer the electrodes were submerged in urine, the higher voltage produced. The biogas was relatively small compared to the urine voltage. Findings further revealed that fresh urine was necessary rather than week-old urine to harness biogas. The container should be totally sealed to avoid leakage. The charging capacity of the battery also depends on the life of the urine since fresh urine does not have sediments that affect the voltage generation on the electrodes. The system is good for rural places, which are off the grid. The prototype can supply common household loads that they need in their everyday life.