News Solartex
Advertisement
  • Home
  • CATEGORIES
    • Solar Panels
    • Solar Installation
    • Residential Solar
    • Commercial Solar
    • Solar Contractors
    • Solar Batteries
    • Solar Inverters
    • Solar Lightening
    • Solar Pumps
    • Accessories
  • MORE
    • CONTACT US
    • SOLARTEX USA
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • CATEGORIES
    • Solar Panels
    • Solar Installation
    • Residential Solar
    • Commercial Solar
    • Solar Contractors
    • Solar Batteries
    • Solar Inverters
    • Solar Lightening
    • Solar Pumps
    • Accessories
  • MORE
    • CONTACT US
    • SOLARTEX USA
No Result
View All Result
News Solartex
No Result
View All Result
Home Solar Panels

Prototype system transforms urine into solar powered fertilizer and clean water

admin by admin
September 1, 2025
in Solar Panels
0
Prototype system transforms urine into solar powered fertilizer and clean water
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Prototype system transforms urine into solar powered fertilizer and clean water

by Clarence Oxford

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 21, 2025






A Stanford-led team has developed a prototype that converts urine into fertilizer while also generating electricity and improving sanitation. The system, detailed in Nature Water, recovers ammonia using solar power and captured waste heat, offering a decentralized solution for agriculture and energy in resource-limited regions.



“This project is about turning a waste problem into a resource opportunity,” said senior author William Tarpeh, assistant professor of chemical engineering. “With this system, we’re capturing nutrients that would otherwise be flushed away or cause environmental damage and turning them into something valuable-fertilizer for crops-and doing it without needing access to a power grid.”



Nitrogen, an essential fertilizer component, is typically manufactured through energy-intensive processes concentrated in wealthy nations, leaving developing regions dependent on costly imports. Human urine contains nitrogen equivalent to 14% of global annual fertilizer demand.



The prototype separates ammonia from urine through membrane chambers powered by solar-generated electricity. Waste heat from solar panels, collected via copper tubing, accelerates ammonia gas production while cooling panels to boost efficiency. The system captures the ammonia as ammonium sulfate, a widely used fertilizer.



“Each person produces enough nitrogen in their urine to fertilize a garden, but much of the world is reliant on expensive imported fertilizers instead,” said lead author Orisa Coombs, a Stanford Ph.D. student. “You don’t need a giant chemical plant or even a wall socket. With enough sunshine, you can produce fertilizer right where it’s needed, and potentially even store or sell excess electricity.”



Integrating solar waste heat boosted power output by nearly 60% and improved ammonia recovery efficiency by more than 20% compared to earlier designs. The team’s model shows the system could yield up to $4.13 per kilogram of nitrogen recovered in regions like Uganda, where fertilizer costs are high and energy access is limited.



The researchers are developing a larger version with three times the reactor capacity. Beyond resource recovery, the system also enhances sanitation, removing nitrogen that otherwise pollutes waterways and contributes to oxygen-depleting algal blooms. With over 80% of global wastewater untreated, the approach could benefit communities lacking sewage infrastructure.



“We often think of water, food, and energy as completely separate systems, but this is one of those rare cases where engineering innovation can help solve multiple problems at once,” said Coombs. “It’s clean, it’s scalable, and it’s literally powered by the sun.”



Research Report:Prototyping and modelling a photovoltaic-thermal electrochemical stripping system for distributed urine nitrogen recovery


Related Links

Stanford School of Engineering

Bio Fuel Technology and Application News



Source link

Previous Post

Transforming boating, with solar power

Next Post

Molecule mimics plant energy storage for solar fuel development

admin

admin

Next Post
Molecule mimics plant energy storage for solar fuel development

Molecule mimics plant energy storage for solar fuel development

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected test

  • 23.9k Followers
  • 99 Subscribers
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
AIKO vs. Trina Solar Panels

AIKO vs. Trina Solar Panels

May 15, 2024
Solar Battery Covers | Cover My Inverter

Solar Battery Covers | Cover My Inverter

October 1, 2023
ADT Solar to close 22 of 38 branches

ADT Solar to close 22 of 38 branches

November 2, 2023
The 5 Best Solar Panels For Your Home or Business

The 5 Best Solar Panels For Your Home or Business

September 29, 2023
How many Solar Panels Do I Need?

How many Solar Panels Do I Need?

1
The 5 Best Solar Panels For Your Home or Business

The 5 Best Solar Panels For Your Home or Business

0
The Truth About German Made Solar Panels – Don’t Fall For The Scam!

The Truth About German Made Solar Panels – Don’t Fall For The Scam!

0
Electric Element vs Heat Pump Calculator – MC Electrical

Electric Element vs Heat Pump Calculator – MC Electrical

0
Join the Fight Against LACoFD’s Solar Battery Blockade

One Small Contractor Forces CPUC to Blink on 150% Storage Rule

September 1, 2025
Molecule mimics plant energy storage for solar fuel development

Molecule mimics plant energy storage for solar fuel development

September 1, 2025
Prototype system transforms urine into solar powered fertilizer and clean water

Prototype system transforms urine into solar powered fertilizer and clean water

September 1, 2025
Transforming boating, with solar power

Transforming boating, with solar power

September 1, 2025

Recent News

Join the Fight Against LACoFD’s Solar Battery Blockade

One Small Contractor Forces CPUC to Blink on 150% Storage Rule

September 1, 2025
Molecule mimics plant energy storage for solar fuel development

Molecule mimics plant energy storage for solar fuel development

September 1, 2025
Prototype system transforms urine into solar powered fertilizer and clean water

Prototype system transforms urine into solar powered fertilizer and clean water

September 1, 2025
Transforming boating, with solar power

Transforming boating, with solar power

September 1, 2025
News Solartex

©2024 SOLARTEX USA LLC

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • Categories
  • Privacy Policy
  • Term of Use
  • Contact Us

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • CATEGORIES
    • Solar Panels
    • Solar Installation
    • Residential Solar
    • Commercial Solar
    • Solar Contractors
    • Solar Batteries
    • Solar Inverters
    • Solar Lightening
    • Solar Pumps
    • Accessories
  • MORE
    • CONTACT US
    • SOLARTEX USA

©2024 SOLARTEX USA LLC

Cleantalk Pixel