''From Poop To Prize Onions'' / Research

A composting toilet is a dry toilet using aerobic processing system, typically with no water or small volumes of flush water. Composting toilets may be used as an alternative to flush toilets in situations where there is no suitable water supply. They are in use in many of the roadside facilities in Sweden, in National Parks both in the US and UK.



 Why do we use them:

• contain, immobilize or destroy organisms that cause human disease
• reduce the risk of human infection to acceptable levels without contaminating the immediate or distant environment and harming its inhabitants.

This should be accomplished in a manner that

1. is consistent with good sanitation (minimizing both human contact with unprocessed excrement and exposure to desease vectors, such as flies).
2. Produces an inoffensice and reasonaly dry end-product that can be handled with minimum risk.
3. Minimizes odor.

Main components:

1. Composting Reactor
2. Screened Exhaust System
3. Means of Ventilation to provide oxygen
4. Means of Draining and Managing excess liquid
5. Mixers to optimize and manage the process
6. Access door for removal of the end-product

Operating Process

• A. Second floor
• B. First floor
• C. Ground floor
• 1. Humus compartment
• 2. Ventilation pipe
• 3. Water closet

An average American uses 74 gallons (280 litres) of water per day, one-third of which splashes down a flushing toilet. An older toilet may swallow up to 7 gallons (26.5 litres) per flush, though federal law now calls for 1.6 gallon (6.1 liter) low-flow models in new homes. A composting toilet may save more than 6,600 gallons (24,984 litres) of water per person a year.

FINAL PROCESS

1 - Bucket

2 - Cabinet

3 - Sawdust - to absorb Odors and Moisture

4 - Ventilation

When the bucket is filled up it is left for at least 1 year to compost. The more it stays the better the soil is.

 

Final Piece

 

Resource Websites:
http://urbanext.illinois.edu/compost/process.cfm
http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/composting-toilet1.htm
http://www.brighthub.com/engineering/civil/articles/73747.aspx#
http://oikos.com/library/compostingtoilet/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u20wDmF197g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBZwOqLJvBA