Rocket-science technology 'could be used for wastewater treatments'

Scientists could be using rocket-science technology in future treatments of wastewater.

Professors at Stanford University in California have suggested that this technology can be used to turn sewage and wastewater into fuel and energy.

This, it was noted, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow down climate change.

It was found that by increasing the production of nitrous oxide and methane - both of which contribute to climate change and are released when sewage is broken down - they can use the gases as fuel.

This would help power water treatment plants so that they can help dispose of the waste, as well as provide energy for generating heat and electricity.

Craig Criddle, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford's Woods Institute for the Environment, said: "Normally, we want to discourage these gases from forming. But by encouraging the formation of nitrous oxide, we can remove harmful nitrogen from the water and simultaneously increase methane production for use as fuel."

Wastewater treatment operations are being increasingly employed across the world and last month a Libyan hospital received treatment solutions to produce clean water.

Posted by Lauren Steadman