TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention generally relates to a method of generation of electricity.
Specifically the present invention relates to a method of generation of electricity using
hydrogen extracted from urine and electricity generating device using hydrogen extracted
from urine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] The background description includes information that may be useful in
understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information
provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any
publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] The process of making hydrogen from water is capital intensive and requires
huge infrastructure that makes mass availability of Hydrogen nearly impossible. However, at
the same time, it can be said that despite the challenges mentioned above, Hydrogen is going
to be required to accomplish many great things in the coming future. Besides, though very
less, almost 4% or less of Hydrogen is produced from methods that are not 100% clean such
as its production from hydrocarbons. The production of Hydrogen from fossil fuel (around
95% of Hydrogen globally produced is from fossil fuel) is not 100%) clean; and it requires
extremely high expenses and infrastructure to produce Hydrogen from water.
[004] Urine is, currently, the most abundant waste of earth. The largest constituent of
urine is urea, which is a notable organic source of Hydrogen [H], Carbon [C], Nitrogen [N],
and Oxygen [O]. The process of production of hydrogen from urine is inexpensive and
plausible as compared to its production from water.
[005] Therefore, there exists a need to find an alternative source from which
Hydrogen can be produced at comparatively less cost, feasible and clean thus, making it
available widely for consumption as and wherever required, of which electricity generation is
one.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[006] Some of the objects of the present invention, which at least one embodiment
herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for generation of
electricity using hydrogen produced from urine.
[008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for generation
of electricity using hydrogen produced from urine which is economical and clean.
[009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for generation
of electricity using hydrogen produced from urine.
[0010] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a device for
generation of electricity using hydrogen produced from urine that is cost effective and easy to
implement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention generally relates to a method of generation of electricity.
Specifically the present invention relates to a method of generation of electricity using
hydrogen extracted from urine and electricity generating device using hydrogen extracted
from urine.
[0012] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method of generating
electricity comprising the steps of:
(a) producing the hydrogen in electrolytic cell using aqueous solution of urea
selected from the group consisting of urine, a wastewater containing urine and
an effluent contaminated with urea;
(b) storing the hydrogen in a cylinder as a source for proton-exchange
membrane fuel cell;
(c) producing electricity in proton-exchange membrane fuel cell using the
hydrogen from the cylinder;
(d) optionally storing the electricity in a battery.
[0013] In another aspect, the present invention relates to the method of generating
electricity wherein the electrolytic cell comprises: a cathode comprising a first conducting
component, an anode comprising a second conducting component selected from the group
consisting of cobalt, copper, iron, nickel, rhodium, and mixtures thereof and alloys thereof,
and electrolyte composition.
[0014] In another aspect, the present invention relates to the method of generating
electricity wherein the electrolyte composition comprises hydroxide salts of either Sodium
[Na] or Potassium [K].
[0015] In another aspect, the present invention relates to the method of generating
electricity wherein the electrolyte composition has the hydroxide concentration six times the
concentration of Urea in aqueous solution (i.e. Concentration of Urea : Concentration of
Hydroxide =1 : 6).
[0016] In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to an electricity generating
device comprising of:
(a) electrolytic cell comprising of urea, a cathode comprising a first
conducting component, an anode comprising a second conducting component
selected from the group consisting of cobalt, copper, iron, nickel, rhodium,
and mixtures thereof and alloys thereof; and electrolyte composition to
produce hydrogen; wherein the urea is aqueous solution selected from the
group consisting of urine, a wastewater containing urine and an effluent
contaminated with urea;
(b) cylinder to store the hydrogen produced from the electrolytic cell;
(c) proton-exchange membrane fuel cell to generate electricity, wherein the
proton-exchange membrane fuel cell is connected with the cylinder to receive
the hydrogen; and
(d) optionally a battery connected with the proton-exchange membrane fuel
cell to store the electricity.
[0017] In another aspect, the present invention relates to electricity generating device,
wherein the cylinder to store the hydrogen comprises inlet and outlet tubes to receive and
release the hydrogen gas.
[0018] In another aspect, the present invention relates to electricity generating device,
wherein the inlet and outlet tubes of the cylinder comprise safety valves to stop the reverse
flow of hydrogen gas.
[0019] In another aspect, the present invention relates to electricity generating device,
wherein the electrolyte composition comprises hydroxide salts of either Sodium [Na] or
Potassium [K].
[0020] In another aspect, the present invention relates to electricity generating device,
wherein the electrolyte composition has the hydroxide concentration six times the
concentration of Urea in aqueous solution (i.e. Concentration of Urea : Concentration of
Hydroxide =1 : 6).
[0021] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject
matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred
embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same
reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by
following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar
components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is
applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label
irrespective of the second reference label.
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of an electricity generating
device using hydrogen extracted from urine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure
depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly
communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit
the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all
modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure
as defined by the appended claims.
[0025] If the specification states a component or feature "may", "can", "could", or
"might" be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not
required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0026] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the
meaning of "a," "an," and "the" includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on"
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0027] Various methods described herein may be practiced by combining one or more
machine-readable storage media containing the code according to the present invention with
appropriate standard computer hardware to execute the code contained therein. An apparatus
for practicing various embodiments of the present invention may involve one or more
computers (or one or more processors within a single computer) and storage systems
containing or having network access to computer program(s) coded in accordance with
various methods described herein, and the method steps of the invention could be
accomplished by modules, routines, subroutines, or subparts of a computer program product.
[0028] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. These
exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and so that this disclosure
will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of
ordinary skill in the art. The invention disclosed may, however, be embodied in many
different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.
Various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general
principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without
departing from the scope of the invention. Moreover, all statements herein reciting
embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to
encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that
such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed
in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of
structure). Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing
exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is
to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and
equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity,
details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the
invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present
invention.
[0029] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for
infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or
limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the
"invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it
will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one
or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0030] All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless
otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and
all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided with respect to certain
embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a
limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification
should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the
invention.
[0031] While embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and
described, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these embodiments only.
Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent
to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as
described in the claim.
[0032] The present invention generally relates to a method of generation of
electricity. Specifically the present invention relates to a method of generation of electricity
using hydrogen extracted from urine and electricity generating device using hydrogen
extracted from urine.
[0033] In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of generating
electricity comprising the steps of:
(a) producing the hydrogen in electrolytic cell using aqueous solution of urea
selected from the group consisting of urine, a wastewater containing urine and
an effluent contaminated with urea;
(b) storing the hydrogen in a cylinder as a source for proton-exchange
membrane fuel cell;
(c) producing electricity in proton-exchange membrane fuel cell using the
hydrogen from the cylinder;
(d) optionally storing the electricity in a battery
[0034] In another embodiment, the electrolytic cell potential of only 0.37V is
thermodynamically required to electrolyze urea at standard conditions which is significantly
less than the 1.23V required to electrolyze water theoretically generating 70% cheaper
Hydrogen.
[0035] In an embodiment, the cylinder for storing the hydrogen comprises of inlet and
outlet tubes with safety valves to stop the reverse flow.
[0036] In another embodiment, the proton-exchange membrane fuel cell of the present
invention transfers the electrons from H2 to C^with no flame, relatively little heat, and
without producing any light.
[0037] In another embodiment, the proton-exchange membrane fuel cell reaction of
the present invention releases 249 kJ of energy per mole of water formed. In another
embodiment, the proton-exchange membrane fuel cell of the present invention converts 45-
55% of its energy to electric energy. In another embodiment, the proton-exchange membrane
fuel cells direct production of electricity eliminates the inefficiencies associated with using
heat to do work to produce electricity.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 1 wherein the proposed device for electricity generation
using hydrogen extraction from urine is disclosed. As shown, the device for electricity
generation(also referred to as device hereinafter) 100 can include a electrolytic cell (102)to
produce hydrogen, the electrolytic cell 102 comprises a power supply(104); a tank (106)
which may be made of light gauge iron, steel or other material to store the electrolyte
composition. The electrolytic cell is connected to a cylinder (108) through inlet tube (110) to
store the hydrogen produced in the electrolyte cell. The cylinder is connected to a protonexchange
membrane (PEM) fuel cell (114) through outlet tube (112). The inlet tube (110) and
outlet tube (112) has a safety valves to stop the reverse flow of hydrogen. The PEM fuel cell
(114) is connected with a battery (116) to store the electricity produced in the PEM fuel cell.
[0039] In an embodiment, the electrolytic cell (102) comprises aqueous urea solution
selected from the group consisting of urine, a wastewater containing urine and an effluent
contaminated with urea, a cathode comprising a first conducting component, an anode
comprising a second conducting component selected from the group consisting of cobalt,
copper, iron, nickel, rhodium, and mixtures thereof and alloys thereof; and electrolyte
composition.
[0040] In an embodiment, the inlet tube (110) of the cylinder (108) from the
electrolytic cell is also connected with the PEM fuel cell (114) to collect the excess hydrogen
through a tube (118).
[0041] In an embodiment, the present invention broadly segment the entire working
into two phases as follows:
Phase 1: Extraction of Hydrogen from Urea - a major component in Urine.
Phase 2: Production of electricity from the Hydrogen made.
[0042] Phase 1: Urine is most abundantly available composition produced-yet-neverbothered-
about by mankind. The largest constituent of urine is urea, which is a notable
organic source of Hydrogen [H], Carbon [C], Nitrogen [N], and Oxygen [O]. Regardless of
technological advancements made, there is still no one technology that can convert urea to
hydrogen. Not only to sustaining hydrogen resources but this process can also denitrificate
urea-rich water that is commonly purged into rivers.
[0043] Using the electrolytic cell as described in Figure 1, human urine has been
electrochemically oxidized with an inexpensive transition metal, nickel according to the
following 4 equations:
CO(NH2)2(aq) + 60H- -> N2(g) + 5H20(1) + C02(g) + 6e- (1)
Ni(OH)2(s) + OH- -->NiOOH(s) + H20(1) + e- (2)
6H20(l) + 6e- --> 3H2(g) + 60H- (3)
CO(NH2)2(aq) + H20(1) -> N2(g) + 3H2(g) + C02(g) (4)
[0044] Urea gets oxidized at the anode (eqn(l)) and the oxidation of Ni(OH)2 to
NiOOH at the anode (eqn(2)) is a competing reaction that attributes to current during
electrolysis. Altogether in eqn(4), an electrolytic cell potential of only 0.37V is
thermodynamically required to electrolyze urea at standard conditions. This is significantly
less than 1.23 V required to electrolyze water theoretically generating 70% cheaper hydrogen.
Nitrogen is generated from the anode implying nitrate remediation of wastewater while water
is reduced at the cathode producing valuable hydrogen for the impending hydrogen economy.
Pure hydrogen (H2) was observed at cathode while nitrogen with traces of oxygen and
hydrogen was seen at anode.
[0045] Phase 2: In the phase 1, Hydrogen was extracted from Urea - the major
component of Urine. The "Hydrogen" extracted was stored in cylinder owing to its
flammable property. Since, the flow of hydrogen needs to be monitored for safety, the inlet
and outlet tubes of the cylinder were attached with safety valves to stop reverse flow. The
hydrogen stored has been used to generate electricity.
[0046] Through the outlet tube of cylinder, the hydrogen is made to enter into protonexchange
membrane (PEM) fuel cell. PEM fuel cell lets hydrogen react with oxygen from the
air and form water releasing energy. Detailed working of the PEM cell is mentioned below.
[0047] Molecule of hydrogen (H2) passes through the membrane gets oxidized and
loses two electrons to form two hydrogen ions as shown in the reaction below.
oxidation half-reaction (anode) H2(g) —> 2 H+(aq) + 2 e-
[0048] The hydrogen ions, H+ , flow through the proton exchange membrane and
combine with oxygen (02). At the same time, they combine with two electrons to form water
as shown in the reaction below.
reduction half-reaction (cathode) 1 /2 02(g) + 2 H+(aq) + 2 e - ^ H20(g)
[0049] As with galvanic cells, the overall cell equation is the sum of the two halfreactions:
H2(g) + 112 02(g) + 2 H+(aq) + 2 e- -> 2 H+(aq) + H20(g) + 2 e-
The 2 e- and 2 H+ appearing on both sides of the arrow can be cancelled:
H2(g)+l/2 02(g)^H20(g)
[0050] The electrons flowing from the anode to the cathode of a fuel cell move
through an external circuit to do work, which is the whole point of the device. Thus, in a fuel
cell, a transfer of electrons occurs from H2 to O2. This occurs with no flame, with relatively
little heat, and without producing any light. Because of these characteristics, the reaction is
not classed as combustion. Hydrogen fuel cells are considered as a more environmentally
friendly way to produce electricity than the coal-fired or nuclear power plants. No carboncontaining
greenhouse gases are produced, no air pollutants are emitted, and no spent nuclear
fuel needs to be disposed of. Water is the only chemical product if hydrogen is the fuel, an
added benefit for the astronauts on the space shuttle, who relied on it as their source of water
while in space.
[0051] The overall reaction releases 249 kJ of energy per mole of water formed. But
instead of liberating most of this energy in the form of heat, the fuel cell converts 45-55% of
it to electric energy. This direct production of electricity eliminates the inefficiencies
associated with using heat to do work to produce electricity. Internal combustion engines are
only 20-30% efficient in deriving energy from fossil fuels.
[0052] The electricity produced from the phase of 2 of the entire system can be stored
in battery for further usage as per the requirements.
ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESSENT INVENTION
[0053] The present invention produces Hydrogen from urine at an expense less than
its production from water.
[0054] The present invention provides process for generating hydrogen which can be
used for the generation of electricity. The urine-powered generator happens to be more
efficient than the invertors used, currently, in households.
[0055] The present invention provides process for generation of electricity using
hydrogen extracted from urine which is characteristic of clean energy.
[0056] The present invention provides process for generation of electricity using
hydrogen extracted from urine which is affordable and feasible.

We Claim:
1. A method of generating electricity comprising the steps of:
(a) producing the hydrogen in electrolytic cell using aqueous solution of urea
selected from the group consisting of urine, a wastewater containing urine and
an effluent contaminated with urea;
(b) storing the hydrogen in a cylinder as a source for proton-exchange
membrane fuel cell;
(c) producing electricity in proton-exchange membrane fuel cell using the
hydrogen from the cylinder;
(d) optionally storing the electricity in a battery.
2. The method of generating electricity as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrolytic
cell comprises: a cathode comprising a first conducting component, an anode comprising a
second conducting component selected from the group consisting of cobalt, copper, iron,
nickel, rhodium, and mixtures thereof and alloys thereof, and electrolyte composition.
3. The method of generating electricity as claimed in claim 2, wherein the electrolyte
composition comprises hydroxide salts of either Sodium [Na] or Potassium [K].
4. The method of generating electricity as claimed in claim 2, wherein the electrolyte
composition has the hydroxide concentration six times the concentration of Urea in aqueous
solution (i.e. Concentration of Urea : Concentration of Hydroxide =1:6).
5. An electricity generating device comprising of:
(a) electrolytic cell comprising of urea, a cathode comprising a first
conducting component, an anode comprising a second conducting component
selected from the group consisting of cobalt, copper, iron, nickel, rhodium,
and mixtures thereof and alloys thereof; and electrolyte composition to
produce hydrogen; wherein the urea is aqueous solution selected from the
group consisting of urine, a wastewater containing urine and an effluent
contaminated with urea;
(b) Cylinder to store the hydrogen produced from the electrolytic cell;
(c) proton-exchange membrane fuel cell to generate electricity, wherein the
proton-exchange membrane fuel cell is connected with the cylinder to receive
the hydrogen; and
(d) optionally a battery connected with the proton-exchange membrane fuel
cell to store the electricity.
6. The electricity generating device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cylinder to store
the hydrogen comprises inlet and outlet tubes to receive and release the hydrogen gas.
7. The electricity generating device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the inlet and outlet
tubes of the cylinder comprise safety valves to stop the reverse flow of hydrogen gas.
8. The electricity generating device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the electrolyte
composition comprises hydroxide salts of either Sodium [Na] or Potassium [K].
9. The electricity generating device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the electrolyte
composition has the hydroxide concentration six times the concentration of Urea in aqueous
solution (i.e. Concentration of Urea : Concentration of Hydroxide =1:6).