Ameer Randolph
The notion of powering a car with farts may seem like a joke, but it's not as far-fetched as you might think. In 2010, British engineers from GENeco, a sustainable energy company, unveiled a modified Volkswagen Beetle that runs on biogas, specifically compressed methane gas extracted from human waste. This Bio-Bug can reportedly be fuelled by the excrement of just 70 homes to run for 10,000 miles, which is equivalent to one average motoring year. While this concept may seem novel, the use of biogas as an alternative energy source is not new. It has already been used in cooking fuel in many homes in developing nations, and Sweden has successfully tested biogas-powered buses and trains.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Feasibility | Human waste can be converted into biogas, which can be used to power cars. |
| Fuel Type | Methane and hydrogen are the main gases in farts that can be used as fuel. |
| Fuel Source | Human waste, specifically sewage, can be used to generate biogas. |
| Energy Content | The median fart contains approximately 0.11025 watt-hours of potential energy, considering the energy density of methane and hydrogen. |
| Mileage | Excrement from 70 homes is estimated to provide enough fuel for a car to travel 10,000 miles. |
| Energy Efficiency | Electric cars typically have an energy efficiency of 60% from grid to wheels. |
| Energy Conversion | Farts can be collected and compressed into CNG (compressed natural gas) for use in vehicles. |
| Alternative Storage | In the past, uncompressed natural gas was stored in large gas bags on the roofs of vehicles. |
| Vehicle Examples | The Bio-Bug, a modified VW Beetle, has been powered by methane gas extracted from human waste. |
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What You'll Learn
The energy potential of farts
Human flatulence, or farts, contain varying amounts of methane, a common fuel source for cars. While it is not possible to power a car solely on one's own farts, it is theoretically possible to power a car with the collective farts of many people.
The amount of methane in human flatus varies from person to person but can range from 0% to 30.3%, with a mean of 7.2%. Assuming a median of 5% methane per fart, each fart would contain 4.5 mL of methane. Based on energy density data, this gives us 0.04725 watt-hours of energy from the methane in a single fart.
To power a car, the methane in farts would need to be captured and compressed. This can be done through a process called anaerobic digestion, where bacteria break down organic matter in the absence of oxygen to produce methane. Human waste can be placed in a decomposition container where it is broken down by bacteria to produce methane, which can then be harvested and compressed into tanks.
Using this method, British engineers have created a car called the Bio-Bug, which is powered by biogas produced from human waste. They claim that the excrement flushed down the toilets of just 70 homes is enough to power the car for 10,000 miles, which is the equivalent of one average motoring year.
While it may not be practical to power a car solely on farts, they can be a viable alternative fuel source when combined with other sources of biogas.
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Hydrogen and methane content in farts
Flatulence, commonly known as farting, is the expulsion of gas from the intestines via the anus. While farts are typically considered humorous or embarrassing, their chemistry is closely linked to our health.
Farts are composed of various gases, including oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and methane. Nitrogen is not produced in the gut but is instead a component of the air we swallow. Hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane, on the other hand, are produced in the gut when food is broken down in the large intestine. These gases contribute to the volume of flatus, with hydrogen and methane being flammable.
The composition of farts can vary between individuals, and not all humans produce methane in their flatus. A study by Levitt's team in 1998 examined the fart compositions of six healthy women and ten healthy men over four hours. They found that only four of the participants released any methane, while the individual with the highest volume of farts produced over half a litre of hydrogen.
The presence of hydrogen and methane in farts has led to speculation about their potential use as fuel. In a Reddit discussion, calculations were made to estimate the number of farts required to power a car. Assuming a fart contains a median of 25% hydrogen and 5% methane, the energy potential of the median fart was calculated to be 0.11025 watt-hours. Considering the energy efficiency of hydrogen and methane in fuel cell and generator applications, the usable energy was estimated to be 0.0315 watt-hours. Based on the energy consumption of a Prius Prime in electric mode, it was determined that it would take approximately 8,680 farts to move the car a single mile.
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Fart-powered VW Beetle
While it may sound like a joke, engineers from the sustainable energy company GENeco, owned by Wessex Water, have indeed developed a modified Volkswagen Beetle that runs on methane gas extracted from human waste. Nicknamed the "Dung Beetle", this vehicle showcases innovation in sustainable transportation.
The Beetle's fuel is produced by placing sewage from Wessex Water's sewage works into a decomposition container. In this environment, oxygen-starved bacteria break down the waste to produce methane, also known as biogas. The methane is then harvested and placed into tanks inside the boot of the Beetle, powering the car's slightly modified engine.
The Beetle also has a standard petrol tank containing unleaded petrol, which is used to start the engine before the methane gas takes over. This is because the engine needs to be warmed up before all systems are up to temperature. Notably, the filth-fuelled Beetle performs just like a normal Beetle and doesn't produce any unpleasant odours.
Previous attempts at creating methane-powered cars suffered from noticeable performance drops due to impure fuel. However, GENeco's advanced methods produce a purer form of methane, allowing the Beetle to run as expected. If the poo-powered Beetle trial is successful, GENeco plans to convert its fleet of vehicles to run on biogas.
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Converting cars to run on farts
It is technically possible to convert a car to run on farts. Farts contain methane and hydrogen, both of which can be used to power cars. In fact, a team of British engineers has already converted a VW Beetle to run on biogas produced from human waste.
How to Convert a Car to Run on Farts
To convert a car to run on farts, you would need to focus on capturing and utilising the methane and hydrogen present in flatus. This could be done by collecting farts in a gas bag or similar container and then compressing the gas and placing it in safe CNG tanks. This compressed gas could then be used to power a car's engine, either through direct combustion or by using it to generate electricity.
The Benefits of Fart-Powered Cars
The main benefit of fart-powered cars is that they provide a seemingly endless source of fuel. Additionally, biogas power is not a new concept, and fuel extracted from cattle dung has already replaced cooking fuel in many homes in third-world countries. Sweden has also had success testing biogas-powered buses and passenger trains.
The Challenges of Fart-Powered Cars
However, there are also challenges and potential drawbacks to fart-powered cars. One issue is the amount of farts required to power a car. Calculations suggest that it would take 8,680 farts to move a plug-in Prius a single mile. Additionally, not everyone produces methane when they fart, so a person considering fart-powering their car would need to get their emissions tested to confirm they are producing methane.
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Fart collection and storage methods
Fart collection and storage are not new concepts. Many people, including children, have attempted to collect farts, often using mason jars or bottles as their receptacles of choice. However, these attempts are typically crude and inefficient.
To improve the process, one should consider a more sophisticated approach. Firstly, it is essential to use a sealable, transparent, wide-mouthed jar or bottle. This design allows for easy collection and secure storage, as well as the ability to monitor the contents. If a narrow-mouthed bottle is the only option, a funnel can be used to aid in directing the fart into the container.
The collection process itself can be enhanced by employing a body of water, although the specific technique is not elaborated on. This method is likely to involve submerging the container to capture the fart, creating an airtight seal, and preventing any escape of the gaseous contents.
Once collected, the farts can be stored in their containers, with the sealable lids ensuring minimal leakage. It is important to note that the collected farts will likely contain a mixture of gases, including hydrogen and methane, which have potential energy values of 0.063 watt-hours and 0.04725 watt-hours, respectively. These gases can be harnessed for various purposes, such as powering a car, but the process of extraction and energy conversion requires further specialized equipment and techniques.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is technically possible to use farts to fuel a car. Farts contain methane and hydrogen, which can be used to power cars. However, the amount of farts needed to power a car is quite high. For example, it would take 8,680 farts to move a plug-in Prius a single mile.
Farts can be converted into fuel through a process called decomposition, where oxygen-starved bacteria break down human waste to produce methane. The methane is then harvested and placed in tanks, where it can be used to power a car engine.
Yes, methane can also be extracted from cattle dung, and hydrogen can be produced through electrolysis of water. These sources can be used as alternative fuels to power cars.
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