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Dehydration
system
It is important to realise that the operating principles of the
Enviro Loo differ substantially from standard composting systems.
In fact it can best be described as an evaporation /dehydration
system.
See
diagrammatic series here
The unique feature of the Enviro Loo System
is that it separates the solids and liquids upon entering the
holding tank. The liquids make their way to the bottom of the
container, and the solids are captured on a specially designed
drying tray that is suspended at an angle approximately half way
down the holding tank. This enables the unit to efficiently evaporate
the liquids, and dehydrate or dry out the solids, via an accelerated
ventilation process. The solids are between 95% and 97% liquid,
and in time the dehydration activity reduces the waste to between
3% and 5% of its original mass.
The constant ventilation keeps the air flowing
through the Enviro Loo in such a way that any odour generated
is discharged through the windmaster driven vent pipe. The ventilation
is also assisted by the black polyethylene unit that increases
the temperature within the holding tank. The warm air rises and
creates a constant upward draught, driving the windmaster, even
on rainy and windless days. The continuous ventilation evaporates
the liquids and dries out the solids. Importantly, oxygen itself
is also a very powerful deodoriser. Foul odours considered normal
in many composting, pit and septic systems due to the chemical
reaction from faeces and urine, do not occur in the Enviro Loo
System due to the early separation of liquids and solids.
The end result is an odourless, dignified
system for the user.
In many countries it is seen as culturally
improper to be constantly involved in the analysing and recycling
of human waste. This is why many composting efforts in developing
countries have failed to achieve the desired result. Many composting
and Pit Latrines need pumping out, or emptying on a regular basis.
The Enviro Loo does not. Whereas standard composting toilets actually
increase the bulk of the waste by adding wood shavings, and other
bulking agents, the Enviro Loo does not. The Enviro Loo actually
works hard to reduce the eventual amount of waste. In a domestic
situation the likelihood of having to remove any waste in the
first 2 years of operation is extremely low. The more common reality
is between 4 to 5 years.
Importantly when the waste is ready to be
removed it will only be a small amount of inoffensive dry material.
At this point the waste is either pathogen free or has a very
low count, suitable for further composting.
To our knowledge the Enviro Loo is the only
zero discharge dehydration / evaporation toilet on the market
today.
This means that there is absolutely no chance
of any pollutants entering the surrounding living environment.
Groundwater resources remain intact and contaminant free, which
is particularly important in communities reliant on ground water
supplies. Due to the odourless nature of the Enviro Loo, fly borne
disease is also decreased significantly. In many developing countries
fatalities caused by sanitation related disease such as diarrhoea
and hepatitis are at epidemic proportions.
Each unit comes equipped with a simple installation
manual. The bulk of the unit is manufactured from UV protected
virgin polyethylene, a very durable long lasting material, that
is guaranteed for 15 years by the manufacturer but in fact is
expected to last in the vicinity of 50 years or longer. The system
is designed with ease of transportation in mind with an efficient
multiple unit stacking feature. The units are modular in design
and can only fit together one way. There are minimal moving parts,
lessening the likelihood of any ongoing mechanical problems. Multiple
units are popular in Schools and other high traffic situations.
These units are installed with interconnecting pipes that facilitate
the dispersal of the liquids evenly, resulting in a more efficient
evaporation process.
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