Abstract
Background: Fast and efficient on-site treatment of blackwater, rejected from the dewatering process, can decrease the costs associated with disposal of fecal sludge removed from pit latrines by reducing the volume of sludge transported to the disposal site.Methods: In this study, we examine the potential use of low cost consumer microwave units for disinfecting pathogen-rich blackwater. Domestic bench top microwave units were modified to allow flow through and re-circulation of blackwater. Energy, throughput, and disinfection characteristics related to microwaves are studied and compared to conventional thermal heating. A custom flow through stack of 5 microwaves was designed and used to examine the feasibility of single pass, high throughput application.Results and Conclusions: The results show microwave energy does not play a role in the disinfection of blackwater. The benefits of a microwave disinfection system are shown to be high energy efficiency, compact size, and cost efficiency.
Highlights
Under the Millennium Development Goals 2.1 billion people have gained access to improved sanitation facilities since 19901
In areas where transfer stations are non-existent a tanker can spend up to 60% of its operational time travelling between the facilities and the disposal site with fuel and tipping making up about three quarters of the total cost of pit emptying[5,7]
The blackwater was obtained from the prototype toilet system as described in the Methods section 2.4
Summary
Under the Millennium Development Goals 2.1 billion people have gained access to improved sanitation facilities since 19901. The preferred method for pit latrine sludge removal is the vacuum tanker because it minimizes human contact with pit contents, is efficient at removing sludge, and allows sludge to be directly transported to a disposal or transfer site[4,5]. The typical vacuum tanker can empty up to 4 pit latrines before transport to a disposal site or transfer station is required[6]. Dewatering sludge can reduce volume and decrease the costs associated with transport and disposal. Fast and efficient on-site treatment of blackwater, rejected from the dewatering process, can decrease the costs associated with disposal of fecal sludge removed from pit latrines by reducing the volume of sludge transported to the disposal site. Methods: In this study, we examine the potential use of low cost consumer microwave units for disinfecting pathogen-rich blackwater. The benefits of a microwave disinfection system are shown to be high energy efficiency, compact size, and cost efficiency
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