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Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Enviro Utopia Today: Poo Power

Posted by Charles Mudede on Wed, Jun 27, 2012 at 2:16 PM

Scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have invented a new toilet system that not only turns human waste into electricity and fertilizers, but also reduces the amount of water needed for flushing by up to 90%!

The system is known as the No-Mix Vacuum Toilet, due to its vacuum suction technology that is similar to those found on aircraft. The toilet system works by having two chambers separate the liquid and solid wastes so that only 0.2 liters (.05 gallons) of water are required for flushing instead of the usual 4 to 6 liters (1-1.5 gallons). If this system is installed in your average public restroom, it is estimated that is would save about 160,000 liters per year (42,267 gallons)!

The No-Mix Vacuum Toilet then diverts the liquid waste to a processing facility where components used for fertilizers — nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium can be recovered. Meanwhile all solid waste is sent to a bioreactor where it will be digested to release bio-gas which contains methane. The gas can then be converted to electricity and used to fuel power plants or fuel cells.

Another world is not only possible, it's already very much a part of this world.

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Comments (14) RSS

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Anything above ten stories will and should be producing the power it consumes.

Posted by Pope Peabrain on June 27, 2012 at 2:26 PM

This was predicted in the 2007 SIFF feature Aachi & Ssipak. Not many people were in this movie, sadly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aachi_%26_S…

Posted by TheMisanthrope on June 27, 2012 at 2:33 PM

i remember when this kind of innovation happened in the u.s, -- pre republican rule.

Posted by judybrowni on June 27, 2012 at 2:41 PM

That's allot of poop.

And a great idea. Though I hope they can make them quieter than airplane toilets.

Posted by tkc on June 27, 2012 at 3:04 PM

Charles,
Power from poop. Right on. In a similar scenario, I recall ages ago, a French(?) farmer using the flatulence of sheep to power his house. No kidding. Methane gas(flatulence) packs a punch.

Posted by lark on June 27, 2012 at 3:16 PM

As long as we keep finding new ways to use oil and gas. I use bundles of cash as furniture up here in Oil-berta and I would hate to have to go to Ikea or something and replace it all.

Posted by ArtBasketSara on June 27, 2012 at 3:20 PM

Pootopia.

Posted by wisepunk on June 27, 2012 at 3:42 PM

I read of a Nigerian jail that diverted it's toilets to bio-gas composters, then used the gas to fuel their heater and stoves. Relatively low-tech system, and so, so effective. I can hardly wait this this sort of tech is more common everywhere.

Posted by treacle on June 27, 2012 at 4:27 PM

@5 Any kid with a lighter knows that.

Posted by Pope Peabrain on June 27, 2012 at 4:28 PM

@9, was I doing it wrong? I could never achieve ignition of my ass-gas.

Posted by long-time reader on June 27, 2012 at 4:47 PM

"Not shit! Energy!"

Posted by Hernandez

on June 27, 2012 at 5:58 PM

Finally a device that can convert Zimbabwean 'Marxists' and their online posts (and other shit) into energy.

Posted by Stranger'sWorstNightmare on June 27, 2012 at 6:12 PM

QUAVAC (The Netherlands) has been the market leader of vacuum technology for wastewater disposal for decades. QUAVAC has patented this technology under the name Vacuflow®. Wastewater is transported to the vacuum station by means of aspirated air using negative pressure. Compared to the traditional natural gravity and pressure system sewerage methods Vacuflow® has several advantages. It is easy in maintenance, environmentally friendly, easily expandable and blockage is impossible.
Moreover, Vacuflow® sewerage is often applied in certain situations where no other system is possible. Such sites include marinas, harbour, islands, rural areas and industrial areas.

QUAVAC provides free quotes for vacuum sewer design and visit
http://bit.ly/NXnlM1

Name: Ricky YD
Vacuum Sewer Engineer
Netherlands/Germany/India

Posted by rickyyd12 on August 23, 2012 at 3:58 AM

QUAVAC (The Netherlands) has been the market leader of vacuum technology for wastewater disposal for decades. QUAVAC has patented this technology under the name Vacuflow®. Wastewater is transported to the vacuum station by means of aspirated air using negative pressure. Compared to the traditional natural gravity and pressure system sewerage methods Vacuflow® has several advantages. It is easy in maintenance, environmentally friendly, easily expandable and blockage is impossible.
Moreover, Vacuflow® sewerage is often applied in certain situations where no other system is possible. Such sites include marinas, harbour, islands, rural areas and industrial areas.

QUAVAC provides free quotes for vacuum sewer design and visit
http://bit.ly/PL0oNU
Name: Ricky YD
Vacuum Sewer Engineer
Netherlands/Germany/India

Posted by rickyyad on August 23, 2012 at 11:28 PM