Urine and aluminum as a source for hydrogen and clean energy

This work suggests the use of a waste material, human urine, as a source of hydrogen via in-situ reaction with aluminum. It represents a compact and safe method of hydrogen production on-demand. A parametric investigation of hydrogen production is presented based on the reaction between urine and aluminum powder activated by an in-house patented process. Reaction rate and yield have been measured experimentally under different conditions. Depending on the operating conditions, hydrogen production rates in the range of 150-700 ml/min/g Al and a yield of about 90%, comparable to the results of the aluminum-water reaction, have been demonstrated. Furthermore, applying the hydrogen produced in a fuel cell reveals specific electric energy of up to 2200 Wh/kg Al, an order of magnitude higher than in batteries. This technology may provide means for energy production and storage where fresh water supply is limited and there is no access to the grid.