Chinese Using Raw Sewage To Heat And Cool Buildings

Chinese researchers from the Harbin Institute of Technology say they have developed a method of heating and cooling buildings using raw, untreated sewage.

The method uses a device that heats by extracting heat from raw sewage that has been temporarily diverted on its way to the processing plant. It cools by using the sewage to absorb heat extracted from buildings. The device produces no pollution and uses no chemicals. Lead researcher and professor in the environmental science department, Sun Dexing, says "The device could replace traditional energy sources, such as coal, to provide air conditioning and heating for buildings." says Sun.

He sees widespread potential for using the device in hotels, apartment blocks, shopping centres and other areas where there is a large supply of sewage.