Technologies for the recovery of nutrients, water and energy from human urine: A review

Abstract

The global demand for a constant supply of fertilizer is increasing with the booming of the population. Nowadays more focus is given to the recovery and reuse of the nutrients rather than synthesis of the fertilizer from chemicals. Human urine is the best available resource for the primary macronutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) for the fertilizer as it contains 10-12 g/L nitrogen, 0.1-0.5 g/L phosphorous and 1.0-2.0 g/L potassium. For the recovery of these nutrients from human urine, various technologies are available which requires source separation and treatment. . In this review, a wide range of the technologies for the treatment of source-separated human urine are covered and discussed in detail. This review has categorized the technologies based on the recovery of nutrients, energy, and water from human urine. Among the various technologies available, Bio-electrochemical technologies are environmental friendly and recovers energy along with the nutrients. Forward Osmosis is the best available technology for the water recovery and for concentrating the nutrients in urine, without or minimal consumption of energy. However, experimental work in this technology is at its prior stage. A single technology is still not sufficient to recover nutrients, water and energy. Therefore, integration of two or more technologies seems essential.

Keywords: Bio-electrochemical technologies; Fertilizer; Human urine; Membrane separation; Nutrients recovery.