speculative . energy. engagement
Energy Futures
2023
Timeline : April'22 - June'22
Project Role : Designer, Electronics, Public Interaction
Energy Futures :
Co-designing an emerging energy system - Brewery waste to energy
THE CURIOUS CASE OF DISAPPEARING PUBS
London’s historic pub culture is hugely threatened by the current energy crisis, forcing several pubs and bars to shut down. Rising energy poverty engulfed in energy illiteracy has made chugging down a beer at your favourite spots a looming question.
"Almost 150 pubs have shut so far this year amid energy bills crisis."
- Evening Standard, 2023
Magnetite Crystals
Microscopic View of Magnetotactic Bacteria
Secondary Coil - Energy is Induced by magnetic fluctuations when ferrofluid passes through
Primary coil - Electromagnet creating a steady magnetic field.
Ferrofluid passed through the core of the two coils - disturbs the magnetic field
LET'S GO BACTERIA HUNTING - SOURCING THE BACTERIA FOR TESTING
Magnetotactic Bacteria are known to live in sea water, fresh water, and salt water bodies. They are found specifically in brackish water (where sea water and fresh water mix). Here, the bacteria survives in microaerobic conditions where oxygen levels are minimal. They travel across the earth using earth's magnetic field.
LARGE SCALE TESTING - USING FERROFLUIDS AS SUBSTITUTE FOR BACTERIAL CULTURE
For large scale testing, large volumes of bacteria need to be extracted. Hence, these can be substituted with a magnetic fluid such as ferrofluids which also contain iron nanoparticles like the bacteria. The principle of operation involves passing the magnetic medium across a permanent magnet or electromagnet and seeing the current induced in an external secondary copper coil. This is called electromagnetic induction.
MICROBES TO OUR RESCUE?
Microbial energy generation is a nascent field focused on microbial fuel cells and other forms of power generation from bacteria. To navigate their scalability, I looked at the potential of Magnetotactic Bacteria, a specie attracted to magnetic fields because of the presence of magnetite in their body, to generate power using existing principles of power generation through transformers.
MAPPING THE SITUATION TO ENERGY CRISIS
Energy prices have reached unprecedented highs, pushing many households into energy poverty. Despite net-zero goals, the country faces a dilemma between increasing unsustainable energy production or implementing policies to scale up sustainable alternatives. The lack of scalable interventions in energy consumption and production stems from the oversight of our reliance on fossil fuels.
1882
The first coal power plant was started
1991
EU lifts restriction on using natural gas
2017
Coal plants
not used at all
2022
Ukraine - Russia War
Escalates
Sep 2022
Nordic Gas line bombed
Dec 2022
Oil import banned from Russia
2023
3/4 th of UK homes in fuel poverty
2035
100% Power from Renewable Energy
HOW?
Mar
2023
Emergency coal plants fired up
Apr
2023
Pub closure up by 60%
REALTIME TESTING - DOES THIS SYSTEM WORK?
Pumping ferrofluid at 4 litres/minute produced 0.8mV in the secondary coil. Yes, it does work!
TEST 1
TEST 2
TEST 3
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Maximum velocity and turbulence from the center to end - Place coils here
Maximum velocity and turbulence from the center to end - Place coils here
Randomised turbulence, will not be efficient
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Front cover
Coupler between top deck and bottom deck
Top Deck of Swirl Power Generator
Bottom Deck of Swirl Power Generator
Body shell with slots to hold decks
Locking clamps for decks
Back cover with inlet couplers
Electrical Junction Box
Back cover with outlet couplers
Electrical Junction Box
Inlet Valve
Centrifugal module
Copper Coil
Base Clamp Plate
Positioning Rods
Common Electrical Sheath
Base Cover
Outlet Valve
Spent Yeast - Solid waste
Brewery Wastewater for pre-treatment
Pre-treated wastewater to biofermenter for growing the bacteria
Bacterial Culture to Isolation Chamber
Magnetic Isolation Chamber
Separated Bacteria to Power Generation Unit
Remaining wastewater moves back for further treatment
"It makes me feel like we are helping the bacteria for the bacteria to help us!"
"Can this technology extend to home brewers? Even powering their basement lights can make a change."
"It (the installation) makes me more aware about the energy source, what it's making, and where it's coming from."
DESIGNING A POWER GENERATOR FOR FLUIDS TO INDUCE MORE ENERGY
A straight tube does not create enough fluctuations for the system to be efficient. Designing different geometries manipulates the fluid flow by changing velocity and pressure to create more fluctuations and increase efficiency of energy induced.
SWIRL TESTING
The energy produced can be seen as spikes on the oscilloscope screen.
GEOMETRY CROSS SECTIONS
Test 1 : Swirling the fluid
Test 2 : Centrifugal force on the fluid
Test 3 : Vanes to cause turbulence in the fluid
CENTRIFUGAL
The energy produced can be seen as spikes on the oscilloscope screen.
POWERING A MICROBREWERY WITH SWIRL DESIGN
This is one unit which is stacked into several according to the volumes of the microbrewey wastewater produced.
EXPLODED VIEW
POWERING A MACROBREWERY WITH CENTRIFUGAL DESIGN
In a macrobrewery, the volumes of flow are large and aberrant. To manage that, centrifugal designs are efficient. These can also be multiplied with a common coupler to match volumes of wastewater produced.
EXPLODED VIEW
THE MATH FOR DESIGNING THESE SYSTEMS IN THE CONTEXT OF BREWERIES
Magnetotactic bacteria is suitable for breweries because they feed on elements in brewery wastewater such as iron, and waste yeast. Yeast used to ferment the beer is another wasteful byproduct which can also be used to feed the bacterial culture to enhance growth.
MACROBREWERY PROCESS LAYOUT
Macrobreweries are classified as those that produce more than 60,000 barrels a year - 7 to 10 Gallons of wastewater.
PERFORMING SIMULATIONS FOR THE BACTERIAL CULTURE - HOW MUCH ENERGY IS PRODUCED?
The simulation was done to estimate for the power generated by a swirl design in COMSOL Multiphysics engine from providers in fiverr, a freelancing agency. The total power produced by the bacterial culture flowing through is 240 microwatt. Hence, by stacking up these systems we can additively produce more power.
CONCENTRATING THE BACTERIA - MAGNETIC ISOLATION
The bacterial culture grown will be in small concentrations when considering the volume of wastewater growing it. Hence, by separating the bacterial cutlure to reduce interference of wastewater when passed through a magnetic field, efficiency of operation is improved. The principle of magnetophoresis is used to create a magnetised channel in one bifurcation which makes it attractive to that channel separating it.
PRAGMATICS TO PEOPLE - HOW CAN WE EXCITE CONVERSATION AROUND THIS FUTURE ENERGY?
Virtual Reality was the first form of public engagement explored to inform people on the potential of this technology and get feedback for improvement. This VR shows its potential in larger wastewater treatment zones.
"PUB"LIC ENGAGEMENT WITH SCIENCE - REIMAGINING A BREWPUB TO EDUCATE ENERGY
Public Engagement is essential in establishing better social and environmental acceptance. While experts helped define the pragmatics of the systems, the future positioning of it is in how people find it culturally suitable to their ways of lives. Hence, what if a brewpub becomes the zone for an interactive engagement with energy?
AFTER SEVERAL ITERATIONS : A BREWERY WASTEWATER POWERED PUB TABLE
This model was chosen to make as a public installation for people to engage and converse about energy and the potential of this energy as they sip on their favorite beer. It shows the different operations needed for energy production condensed into a simple pub table.
THE MAKING VIDEO
MICROBREWERY PROCESS LAYOUT
Microbreweries follow the same process flow. Microbreweries are classified as those that produce 5,000-10,000 barrels a year - 3 to 5 Gallons of wastewater.
DESIGNING THE CHAMBER
One channel in each division is magnetized by a variable PCB coil at the back plate. An intricate channel separation is done to send the bacteria for the next stage of power generation and the wastewater for its treatment.
PRAGMATICS TO PEOPLE - WHOM SHOULD WE EXCITE AND INFORM - STAKEHOLDER MAPPING
PUBLIC INTERACTION
The interaction was engaged near the college bar. As people lifted their drinks the UV light on the table showcased the topics of conversation. They were first given a brief about the technology and the conversations gave several interesting insights.
CONVERSATIONS
