Cranfield University is developing the Nano Membrane Toilet which will be able to treat human waste on-site without external energy or water. The toilet is designed for single-household use (equivalent to 10 people) and will accept urine and faeces as a mixture.
The toilet flush uses a unique rotating mechanism to transport the mixture into the toilet without demanding water whilst simultaneously blocking odour and the user’s view of the waste.
Solids separation (faeces) is principally accomplished through sedimentation. Loosely bound water (mostly from urine) is separated using low glass transition temperature hollow-fibre membranes. The unique nanostructured membrane wall facilitates water transport in the vapour state rather than as a liquid state which yields high rejection of pathogens and some odorous volatile compounds. A novel nano-coated bead enables water vapour recovery through encouraging the formation of water droplets at the nanobead surface. Once the droplets form a critical size, the water drains into a collection vessel for reuse at the household level in washing or irrigation applications.
Following release of unbound water, the residual solids (around 20-25% solids) are transported by mechanical screw into a gasifier which will convert them into ash and energy. The energy will power the membrane processes, and there may be extra energy for charging mobile phones or other low voltage items.
The environmentally-safe Nano Membrane Toilet has been in production for three years with trials scheduled in Africa in late 2016. If the trials in Africa proved successful, the nanotechnology could be utilized in a wide range of vehicles including luxury yachts and military vehicles. The team has secured financial backing from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
“The Nano Membrane Toilet has the potential to change millions of lives by providing access to safe and affordable sanitation,” said Professor Elise Cartmell, Cranfield University’s Director of Environmental Technology. Cartmell is part of the team behind the Cranfield’s Nano Membrane Toilet.
https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/