The future of compost: Methane gas as an energy source

We are proud to announce that our Jugend Forscht Team has been awarded a grant from the Hopp Foundation for Computer Literacy & Informatics gGmbH. We received the school prize in the amount of 2500€ for our special commitment to promoting students interested in mathematics, science and technology as part of the Jugend forscht competition. It is therefore an additional enrichment for our STEM department.
Our young researchers are still at the beginning of their research and therefore need financial support to advance their innovative idea and realize their vision. With the funding, they now have the opportunity to purchase the necessary equipment and various chemicals. This will create the optimal environment for the tests and experiments.

We, as the entire Phorms community, are very proud of our researchers and their achievements so far. Of course, we are eager to see how things will continue in the future.

But now we would like to tell you more about the project:

Have you ever wondered what happens to the waste in your compost heap after you've disposed of it? What if you were told that amidst the organic mess lies an valuable energy source- methane gas? Yes, the same gas that is notorious as a greenhouse gas can actually be a renewable energy source. Sounds incredible? Well, it's not. Join the students on a fascinating journey as they explore the concept of methane gas extraction from compost and consider how we can use this unexpected source to make our world a little greener.
A dedicated youth research team from our Phorms Taunus Campus has set itself the task of exploring this complex topic.

Who are we and what is our vision?

The team, consisting of Dana Dalal, Fineas Kirchner, Jack Parameswaran and Raphael Theil is supervised by Dr Audrey Schollier and has been characterized by a shared passion for chemistry, biology and engineering since their introduction to high school.
Their long-awaited goal is to take part in Jugend forscht to demonstrate their skills and knowledge. Finally, they have the opportunity to realize their vision, and since the beginning of this school year they have been working on their project with great motivation.

Their goal is to develop a bin for the private collection and storage of methane gas from conventional composts. This is done every day at biogas plants, the innovative aspect is that it would be able do it at home. Methane gas, which is produced during the decomposition of waste by bacteria, is 25 times more harmful to the climate than carbon dioxide. Releasing this gas directly into the atmosphere is very detrimental, whereas burning it will not only transform methane into a less harmful gas, but also produce energy at the same time, as methane is the main component of natural gas. So instead of releasing this valuable gas into the atmosphere unburned, our Jugend forscht team is striving to use it as a sustainable source of energy.

Their aim is to develop a functional DIY bin by the 2025 or 2026 competition that will make it possible to collect, store and use the methane gas produced from compost. By burning the methane, not only can energy be generated, but CO2 will also be produced, which is less harmful to the environment than methane.

A promising start: good luck to the students' methane gas project!

We would like to thank the Hopp Foundation for Computer Literacy & Informatics gGmbH for their generous support. Without their help, this project would not have been possible. With this backing, we are confident that they will be able to achieve their goals and make a positive contribution to the environment.
We wish them "Good luck" for the challenges that lie ahead and are full of confidence for the future. With their enthusiasm and determination, the young team of researchers will do an excellent job.