Human urine electrolysis for simultaneous green hydrogen and liquid fertilizer production for a circular economy: A proof of concept

Im, K; Park, M; Kabir, MM; Sohn, W; Choo, Y; Shon, HK; Nam, SY

Human urine electrolysis for simultaneous green hydrogen and liquid fertilizer production for a circular economy: A proof of concept

Im, K Park, M Kabir, MM Sohn, W Choo, Y

Shon, HK Nam, SY

Permalink

Publisher:: Elsevier
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Desalination, 2024, 570, pp. 117059
Issue Date:: 2024-01-15

Embargoed

	Filename	Description	Size
	Human urine electrolysis for simultaneous green hydrogen and liquid fertilizer production for a circular economy A proof of concept.pdf	Accepted version	1.65 MB	Adobe PDF	View/Open

Copyright Clearance Process

Recently Added
In Progress
Embargoed
Open Access

This item is currently unavailable due to the publisher's embargo.

The embargo period expires on 1 Oct 2025

Full metadata record

Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Im, K
dc.contributor.author	Park, M
dc.contributor.author	Kabir, MM
dc.contributor.author	Sohn, W
dc.contributor.author	Choo, Y https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2715-0618
dc.contributor.author	Shon, HK
dc.contributor.author	Nam, SY
dc.date.accessioned	2023-11-14T04:50:37Z
dc.date.available	2023-11-14T04:50:37Z
dc.date.issued	2024-01-15
dc.identifier.citation	Desalination, 2024, 570, pp. 117059
dc.identifier.issn	0011-9164
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/173406
dc.description.abstract	This study explores a novel process for hydrogen production and urine concentration using water electrolysis, employing a hydrophobic membrane and hydrogel electrolyte. The process utilizes a hydrophobic membrane to provide pure water from human urine, while simultaneously producing hydrogen through electrolysis, and concentrating urine for liquid fertilizer production. A suitable hydrogel electrolyte was developed, with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based hydrogels and varying potassium hydroxide (KOH) concentration, showing efficient ion conductivity. The PVA-KOH 30 wt % hydrogel incorporating melamine exhibited promising performance in cell testing, achieving a current density of 204.35 mA/cm2 at 2 V. Long-term electrolysis tests indicated sustained efficiency, although a decline in current density during 96 h was attributed to hydrophobic membrane fouling. Nonetheless, the hydrogel electrolyte demonstrated minimal fouling, successfully concentrating the urine about 5 times. This concentrated urine serves as liquid fertilizer, while the produced hydrogen acts as an energy source, and the oxygen can be recycled for use in a membrane bioreactor (MBR), establishing a sustainable energy cycle system.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Elsevier
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/IH210100001
dc.relation.ispartof	Desalination
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.desal.2023.117059
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess
dc.subject	03 Chemical Sciences, 09 Engineering
dc.subject.classification	Chemical Engineering
dc.subject.classification	34 Chemical sciences
dc.subject.classification	40 Engineering
dc.title	Human urine electrolysis for simultaneous green hydrogen and liquid fertilizer production for a circular economy: A proof of concept
dc.title.alternative	Alkaline Water Electrolysis Using Urine for Simultaneous Hydrogen Production and Urine Concentration
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	570
utslib.for	03 Chemical Sciences
utslib.for	09 Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CTWW - Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater Treatment
utslib.copyright.status	embargoed	*
utslib.copyright.embargo	2025-10-01T00:00:00+1000Z
dc.date.updated	2023-11-14T04:50:36Z
pubs.publication-status	Accepted
pubs.volume	570

Abstract:

This study explores a novel process for hydrogen production and urine concentration using water electrolysis, employing a hydrophobic membrane and hydrogel electrolyte. The process utilizes a hydrophobic membrane to provide pure water from human urine, while simultaneously producing hydrogen through electrolysis, and concentrating urine for liquid fertilizer production. A suitable hydrogel electrolyte was developed, with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based hydrogels and varying potassium hydroxide (KOH) concentration, showing efficient ion conductivity. The PVA-KOH 30 wt % hydrogel incorporating melamine exhibited promising performance in cell testing, achieving a current density of 204.35 mA/cm2 at 2 V. Long-term electrolysis tests indicated sustained efficiency, although a decline in current density during 96 h was attributed to hydrophobic membrane fouling. Nonetheless, the hydrogel electrolyte demonstrated minimal fouling, successfully concentrating the urine about 5 times. This concentrated urine serves as liquid fertilizer, while the produced hydrogen acts as an energy source, and the oxygen can be recycled for use in a membrane bioreactor (MBR), establishing a sustainable energy cycle system.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/173406