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Development of a continuous single chamber vermicomposting toilet with urine diversion for on-site application
Citation Link: https://doi.org/10.15480/882.1001
Other Titles
Entwicklung einer kontinuierlich arbeitenden Einkammer-Vermi-Kompostierung-Toilette mit Urintrennung für den Vor-Ort-Einsatz
Publikationstyp
Doctoral Thesis
Date Issued
2010
Sprache
English
Author(s)
Advisor
Title Granting Institution
Technische Universität Hamburg
Place of Title Granting Institution
Hamburg
Examination Date
2010-12-17
TORE-DOI
First published in
Hamburger Berichte zur Siedlungswasserwirtschaft;76
Number in series
76
Human excreta continue to be a serious health burden in the developing world. Lack of context-relevant technical options is the main restricting factor in implementing viable sanitation schemes in most countries.
In this thesis, a laboratory scale flow-through model reactor for the treatment of faecal matter by vermicomposting is presented. The system was setup to investigate conditions likely to be experienced in urine diverting dry (UDD) sanitation systems based on vertical loading, continuous-flow vermicomposting. In the test system, that was designed to utilize the feeding habits and reproductive cycles of the earthworm Eisenia foetida, faecal matter tainted with differently coloured non-biodegradable glass markers and fed continuously in thin layers to the upper part of the reactor flows down and subsequently comes in contact with upwardmigrating earthworms.
The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility of the vermicomposting technology as a treatment method for faecal matter in a continuous single chamber dry sanitation system. The aim was achieved through the objectives of investigating the major design criteria, establishing the optimum environmental requirements and understanding the chemical and microbial kinetics of the process. Thus, the study was designed to provide answers to the questions: How do design parameters and environmental factors affect carbon loss and nutrient dynamics? Two important design criteria: loading rate and initial worm inoculation density, and a process control parameter – moisture content – were investigated. Three loading rates, three stocking densities and five moisture regimes (60, 65, 70, 75 and 80%) were independently studied. The performance of the system was assessed by the rate of organic matter stabilisation and contents of leachable nutrients such as water soluble organic carbon, ammonium, nitrate and phosphorus, and total nutrients including total organic carbon, volatile solids, heavy metals and total Kjeldahl nitrogen.
In addition, the system was assessed with respect to pathogen inactivation by monitoring six sanitation indicator bacteria (SIB) during a 60 day period in order to obtain information about the hygienisation effect of the vermicomposting process. The reactors for this experiment were operated in batch mode.
Considering the various parameters evaluated a feeding rate of 1.2 kg-feed /kg-worm /day with 40% volatile solids reduction after 120 days solids retention time and an initial inoculation density of 2.20 kg worms/m2, optimized performance.
Overall, this thesis says that contrary to existing perception that vermicomposting-based treatment is not an option in dry sanitation systems; that it is feasible, even on a continuousflow basis. Thus the continuous single chamber vermicomposting toilet is a feasible alternative for on-site application, however, depending on further validation at field-level pilot trials.
In this thesis, a laboratory scale flow-through model reactor for the treatment of faecal matter by vermicomposting is presented. The system was setup to investigate conditions likely to be experienced in urine diverting dry (UDD) sanitation systems based on vertical loading, continuous-flow vermicomposting. In the test system, that was designed to utilize the feeding habits and reproductive cycles of the earthworm Eisenia foetida, faecal matter tainted with differently coloured non-biodegradable glass markers and fed continuously in thin layers to the upper part of the reactor flows down and subsequently comes in contact with upwardmigrating earthworms.
The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility of the vermicomposting technology as a treatment method for faecal matter in a continuous single chamber dry sanitation system. The aim was achieved through the objectives of investigating the major design criteria, establishing the optimum environmental requirements and understanding the chemical and microbial kinetics of the process. Thus, the study was designed to provide answers to the questions: How do design parameters and environmental factors affect carbon loss and nutrient dynamics? Two important design criteria: loading rate and initial worm inoculation density, and a process control parameter – moisture content – were investigated. Three loading rates, three stocking densities and five moisture regimes (60, 65, 70, 75 and 80%) were independently studied. The performance of the system was assessed by the rate of organic matter stabilisation and contents of leachable nutrients such as water soluble organic carbon, ammonium, nitrate and phosphorus, and total nutrients including total organic carbon, volatile solids, heavy metals and total Kjeldahl nitrogen.
In addition, the system was assessed with respect to pathogen inactivation by monitoring six sanitation indicator bacteria (SIB) during a 60 day period in order to obtain information about the hygienisation effect of the vermicomposting process. The reactors for this experiment were operated in batch mode.
Considering the various parameters evaluated a feeding rate of 1.2 kg-feed /kg-worm /day with 40% volatile solids reduction after 120 days solids retention time and an initial inoculation density of 2.20 kg worms/m2, optimized performance.
Overall, this thesis says that contrary to existing perception that vermicomposting-based treatment is not an option in dry sanitation systems; that it is feasible, even on a continuousflow basis. Thus the continuous single chamber vermicomposting toilet is a feasible alternative for on-site application, however, depending on further validation at field-level pilot trials.
Subjects
Entsorgungssystem
Vermikompostierung
Trockentoilette
Eisenia Foetida
Sanitärsystem
vermicomposting
sanitation system
DDC Class
620: Ingenieurwissenschaften
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DissertationChristopherBuzie.pdf
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