Electrocatalytic sewage disposal

In the present sewage disposal practice, the final result is a sludge, which defies further destruction (though cf. the work of Clarke and Kuhn). This is an unsatisfactory state of affairs because the sludge contains mercury and lead, and these toxic materials are reaching the water table in response to normal rainfall. 

Kaba and Hitchens made a discovery in 1989 [36], They found that if fecal material was mixed with urine, the electrolysis of the mixture leads to the production of hydrogen at low cost. The production of a colorless, odorless liquid is due to the bleaching effect of the coevolution of chlorine at the anode. The complete elimination of the organic contents of the solid material is possible. (No sludge ) 

There are opportunities for electrocatalytic contributions to delay the world-threatening process of global warming. 

FIGURE 1.20 Schematic diagram of a packed-bed cell and flow circuit. (1) Tank-reservoir (2) pump (3) valve (4) flow-meter (5) anode current collector (6) packed-bed anode (7) cathode (8) water condenser (9) water inlet (10) water outlet (11) gas outlet. (From Tennakoon, C.K., J. Appl. Electrochem., 26, 27, 1996.) 

Two of the consequences of the temperature rise are not yet in sight flooding to 200 ft above present sea level and, finally, the super greenhouse caused by the exuding of methane, from the tundra as the temperature rises. Positive feedback would lead rapidly to temperatures, which might make the earth s surface uninhabitable ( 50°C). 

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