Chinese researchers from the Harbin
Institute of Technology say they have developed a method of heating and
cooling buildings using raw, untreated sewage.
The method uses a device that heats by extracting heat from raw sewage that
has been temporarily diverted on its way to the processing plant. It cools by
using the sewage to absorb heat extracted from buildings. The device produces
no pollution and uses no chemicals. Lead researcher and professor in the environmental
science department, Sun Dexing, says "The device could replace traditional energy
sources, such as coal, to provide air conditioning and heating for buildings."
says Sun.
He sees widespread potential for using the device in hotels, apartment blocks,
shopping centres and other areas where there is a large supply of sewage.