New, greener electrochemical process turns urine into plant fuel
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 7)
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Topic: GS3 – Science and Technology |
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Context |
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A New Method to Extract Urea from Urine
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A new electrochemical process can extract urea from urine in solid form.
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This method converts urea into a crystalline compound called percarbamide.
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It helps in both wastewater treatment and resource recovery.
Importance of Urea in Agriculture
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Humans consume nitrogen from food and excrete it as urea in urine.
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Urea is nitrogen-rich and can serve as a natural fertilizer.
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Efficient extraction methods have been lacking, limiting its agricultural use.
The Potential of Pee-cycling
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An adult produces 450-680 liters of urine annually, containing essential nutrients.
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This amount of nutrients can grow wheat for a loaf of bread daily for a year.
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Extracting these nutrients can reduce waste and benefit agriculture.
The Scientific Process Behind Extraction
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Urea forms bonds with hydrogen peroxide, creating percarbamide, a stable solid.
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This solid releases oxygen steadily, making it useful in chemical reactions.
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Researchers used graphitic carbon catalysts to achieve nearly 100% purity in extraction.
Benefits and Future Applications
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The process enables slow nitrogen release for better crop growth.
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It connects wastewater treatment with sustainable agriculture.
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Researchers aim to expand this method to improve resource recycling.
