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Solar Thermal Processing to Disinfect Human Waste

Author

Listed:
  • Richard P. Fisher

    (Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, 3415 Colorado Ave, UCB 596, Boulder, CO 80309-0596, USA)

  • Allan Lewandowski

    (Solar Consulting, LLC, 505 Madison Street, Denver, CO 80206, USA)

  • Tesfayohanes W. Yacob

    (Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, 4001 Discovery Drive, UCB 607, Boulder, CO 80309-0607, USA
    Current address is Environmental Resources Engineering, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA 95521, USA.)

  • Barbara J. Ward

    (Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, 4001 Discovery Drive, UCB 607, Boulder, CO 80309-0607, USA)

  • Lauren M. Hafford

    (Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, 4001 Discovery Drive, UCB 607, Boulder, CO 80309-0607, USA)

  • Ryan B. Mahoney

    (Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, 4001 Discovery Drive, UCB 607, Boulder, CO 80309-0607, USA)

  • Cori J. Oversby

    (Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, 4001 Discovery Drive, UCB 607, Boulder, CO 80309-0607, USA)

  • Dragan Mejic

    (Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, 3415 Colorado Ave, UCB 596, Boulder, CO 80309-0596, USA)

  • Dana H. Hauschulz

    (Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, 3415 Colorado Ave, UCB 596, Boulder, CO 80309-0596, USA)

  • R. Scott Summers

    (Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, 4001 Discovery Drive, UCB 607, Boulder, CO 80309-0607, USA)

  • Karl G. Linden

    (Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, 4001 Discovery Drive, UCB 607, Boulder, CO 80309-0607, USA)

  • Alan W. Weimer

    (Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, 3415 Colorado Ave, UCB 596, Boulder, CO 80309-0596, USA)

Abstract

Almost half of the world’s population is living without access to sanitation services that are safe, reliable, and minimize public health risk of human waste exposure. Modern flush-based sanitation networks are unsustainable: substantial resources, namely water and fuel, are required to bring human waste to centralized treatment facilities. Moving toward sustainable sanitation requires the implementation of innovative renewable energy technologies for stabilization and disinfection of waste, at the local or household scale, where minimal inputs of water, electricity or chemicals are required. A novel solar thermal disinfection toilet prototype has been constructed and is assessed for overall solar to receiver efficiency in treating waste without electrical, chemical, or water inputs from municipal supply. The measured solar to receiver efficiency is 28%, incorporating the capturing and concentration of sunlight and transmission of the energy to the receiver. For a typical sunny day, the current system can achieve thermal treatment of 0.8 kg human waste in roughly 100 min. The novel toilet is available for any location in the world with sufficient sunlight and irradiance data, and is scalable by adding solar collectors for sizes from single dwellings to communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard P. Fisher & Allan Lewandowski & Tesfayohanes W. Yacob & Barbara J. Ward & Lauren M. Hafford & Ryan B. Mahoney & Cori J. Oversby & Dragan Mejic & Dana H. Hauschulz & R. Scott Summers & Karl G. , 2021. "Solar Thermal Processing to Disinfect Human Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-16, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:9:p:4935-:d:545088
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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