Alternative Energy Forums

We are a group of students doing a project for our project work. We are investigating the modernization of methods of energy production from the past to now.

In the past, burning fossil fuels was a main source of energy production to generate electricity. But now, after realizing the negative impact on the environment caused by fossil fuels like climate changes and global warming, countries are looking at alternative fuels which are more eco-friendly and renewable. We identified this as a positive impact and we want to extend this in Singapore. We want to build turbines in the underground sewage system of Singapore. These turbines will turn and generate electricity using the sewage water.

We intend to use nanotechnology, the latest nanowires, special filters etc to aid us in the turbine system. We are still researching on the other types of materials and technologies we can make use. Though initial costs of implementation will be expensive, in the near future costs will go down, bringing down electricity bills.

This is just a proposal for our exam project of course, so we’re not going to really build this. But factors like feasibility still have to be taken account to score.

Hence, we did surveys in NUS, and among our friends and residents in Clementi to obtain views. We request all of you to post your comments on our project. Please tell us how you think we can improve on our idea and turbine structure, system etc. We are also planning to build a model for our project of the real thing. So please also offer any insightful ideas you may have for us for our model as well.

akky

It's not a bad idea. In fact it's a good way to generate electricity. I think it is very feasible and creative. We need innovative people like you to make a difference to our environment.

Peter McHaen

Wow! Amazing! I never thought of such an idea. Yes, perhaps you could consult some experts like those specializing in material science to know what kind of materials would be suitable for your turbines. Maybe you could also find out what organizations would be happy to fund such a project if it were to be implemented.

Anyway, Good luck with your project!

Harold Pamler

I think this is a great idea! I had never thought of that before. It is a very likely way to produce electricity with minimal impact on the environment. After the sewage passes through the turbines it will be aerated, which promotes the growth of saprophytic bacteria, which help break down the waste in the sewage, helping the overall effort of the wastewater system. Hopefully you’ll be able to get a good backing on this. I’m with you all the way!

oasisvader

DaS Energy agrees with your thoughts. The most effective turbine you can use in areas of high flow and low pressure, pressure that being how far the water falls and over what distance, is the Kaplan turbine 92% efficient.

Materials and design are available on the web. The only problem occurring with such advent is fouling by paper waste, which is not impossible to overcome.

Cheers,

Peter

Turbines are attached to the out-flow discharge drain lines of public sewer systems to convert the kinetic energy of the flowing and often pressurized waste water to electrical energy, by using Hydro-Generators and conducting this new electrical power back to the power grid for the local community.

ragavendra

Hello Akky

Nice idea, but there is a local company that has already patented this idea and is generating Electrical energy from the unused energy of flowing water in Water supply tunnels. The proposal has been to use outputs of Waste water Treatment Plants but no one is jumping to use this scenario at this time. Waste Water is just that too much obstructive material floating in the water to be capable of producing power effectively. The output of the plants is less likely to have floating debris then the inputs. I see turbines in this equation not effective one bit.

Heat extracted from Hot water is a possibility to be reused by small business and large population dwellings like apartment buildings. But the best source of this removal is the source of the waste water at each individual residence.

Solids in the waste water are being directed into anaerobic digestion and a tiny few into Biomass Gasification. There is research being done in the Solids to ethanol using Acid Hydrolysis but it has not been implemented that I know of at this time.

Nice idea but the obstacles have not all been worked out yet to devise a productive way to generate energy from flowing waste water from humans.

IF the population that you devise this idea from has steep hillsides where water from waste flows with great flow rates. then the possibilities do exist to recover some of the energy in turbines.

Every Application has its benefits and faults, each one must be looked at differently to find the assets to aid you in your energy production. PM me if you would like more help.

Hope this helps

Nflight

Dear AKKY,

I am working in a company as vice President. I am impressed by your idea and would like to get more details. There are always problems in dealing with subjects like sewage and its treatment. However it is not that these are insurmountable. Particularity in developing countries sewage collection and treatment has become important. Add to this the fact power is a premium the projects gets viability.
I would like to read through you project report to get acquainted with your ideas. Can you send it to me. If you agree I will send you my address.

Gopal.

This is an interesting post. The problem of turbine fouling from more than paper exists in the system I'm not clear how nanowire technology helps with this Macro-trash accumulation problem. Has the team proposed a solution?

Curious,
JessW

In India, they are installing turbine which will be operated by sewerage flow! Please wait for a few more weeks and feedback should be available. The Project site is in Bangalore, South India.

mizun

Mizun,

I'd be very interested in the results!

Jess

I have noticed this kind technology for long time, very interested in your detail model and progress. happy to discuss further

When I was a little boy in 2nd grade, I had a spiral notebook where I would put my inventions and I came up with the idea of using the sewage systems/toilets to turn turbines in order to generate electricity.

So, I was just researching online as I was telling my friends about the idea and we came across this site. He had the idea to use the sewage of high rise buildings because there would be a lot more pressure to power the turbines. I was always thinking of designing a toilet that turns a turbine with every flush. Perhaps you guys could use these ideas in your project. Please let us know the results. Ours e-mails are thisisjoelgrant@gmail.com and rickinsdiego@cox.net Thanks for turning an idea into a reality.

Sincerely,
Joel Grant
(the turd king )

(Nov 27 2009 03:05 AM)Omnis Wrote:  When I was a little boy in 2nd grade, I had a spiral notebook where I would put my inventions and I came up with the idea of using the sewage systems/toilets to turn turbines in order to generate electricity.
So, I was just researching online as I was telling my friends about the idea and we came across this site. He had the idea to use the sewage of high rise buildings because there would be a lot more pressure to power the turbines. I was always thinking of designing a toilet that turns a turbine with every flush. Perhaps you guys could use these ideas in your project. Please let us know the results. Ours e-mails are thisisjoelgrant@gmail.com and rickinsdiego@cox.net Thanks for turning an idea into a reality.
Sincerely,
Joel Grant
(the turd king )

I was also thinking something like this.

Why cant you fit all outgoing pipes and incoming pipes with a little turbine that goes into the pipe, when you run water the turbine spins and generates electricity?

It may not generate much, but if you fit every house with these maybe it could generate a lot of power.

Jim

sounds like a terrific idea. turbines are already used in other streams, why not in sewage streams?

your main danger would be mixing electricity and water in our sewage system. safety would have to be your #1 concern