Human Urine Water Recycling Cyanobacteria Bioreactor

Abstract

This study tested pilot series small-size cyanobacteria bioreactors to treat human urine. The proposed system immobilized cyanobacteria on pieces of gauze mesh inserted in transparent plastic tanks filled with water. Between each tank were two connecting plastic tubes: the first tube was used to deliver water into the bottom of the adjacent tank from the previous tank; the second tube was used to deliver water from the adjacent tank top to the next tank. The system was placed on gently sloping land to allow gravity to facilitate water delivery. After six runs of immobilized cyanobacteria mesh bio-adsorption, the urine became reusable water with lower quality than drinking water. This easily operated, cost-effective urine water recycling system may be used in underdeveloped rural areas or space crafts for long-term travel by recycling water for biological life support systems. In addition, the produced edible cyanobacteria may be used as animal feed.