Khulna:Researchers at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) have developed a technology that transforms human waste into fuel oil, coal, and liquid fertilizer.
According to United News of Bangladesh, this innovative process can produce approximately 60 to 70 liters of fuel oil and 45 to 50 kilograms of coal from one ton of human waste. The technology also allows for the recovery of nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic components to create liquid fertilizer. The project, led by Dr. Md. Khalekuzzaman, began as research in March 2016 and evolved into the "Sludge to Oil" project, officially starting in April 2022 with funding from the Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council.
The project has received approximately 20.7 million BDT in funding, and additional related projects have been supported by ITN-BUET and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The current phase of research is being conducted under the "Bangladesh Biorefinery and Biocrude Innovation Centre" with a budget of 56.7 million BDT, funded jointly by the Government of Bangladesh and the World Bank.
The researchers aim to establish a continuous pilot plant to process 1 to 3 tons of waste daily, with an estimated investment of 1 to 1.2 billion BDT. This plant will test the technology's commercial viability, including production costs and energy efficiency. If successful, the technology could significantly reduce Bangladesh's reliance on fuel imports, potentially saving the country 65 to 130 billion BDT annually.
The initiative also envisions transforming waste management practices while creating new employment opportunities and fostering local industries. However, researchers stress the importance of further testing to ensure the technology's effectiveness on a commercial scale.