Since motor sport is trying to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and become more balanced to the environment, a group of engineers could come up with a new solution – and occurs in human waste.
They developed a prototype racing car made of balanced materials, which is powered by … sewage.
Or rather, wastewater treatment technology, which includes hydrogen -feeding microorganisms that produce waste as a by -product – and it is hydrogen that produces fuel for the car.
The WARWICK (WMG) production group, which includes students of the University of Warwick, stands behind the prototype, working with sewage treatment technology at Severn Trent Water.
They believe that the car can be in the mainstream in just five years, although they recognize that there are still significant obstacles to overcome.
“There was real emphasis on electric vehicles and it is quite clear that there must also be different energy in the mix, so hydrogen has a role,” said BBC Sport Dr. James Meredith, chief engineer at WMG.
“It comes from a long period of research. The microbiological cell of the electrolysis is basically a device used for water cleaning, and microorganisms grow on recycled carbon fiber, eating sewage. During this process, they produce hydrogen as a by -product. “
WMG will use a car to break several land speed records, including the fastest standing and flying over a mile and a kilometer.
Dr. Meredith hopes that hydrogen technology will create the same power as gasoline. But the challenge, especially when developing a car suitable for racing, is to reduce the size of storage tanks.
“Hydrogen is a good fuel. It’s pure fuel consumption, “he said.
“We are starting to scale the process and see what we can do on an industrial scale. So, when it comes to the actual driving of a car in the race, the biggest challenge with hydrogen is the shape of storage tanks and how much volume requires. “
