Incinerating toilet: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Type of dry toilet that burns human feces}} |
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{{advert|date=April 2011}} |
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{{Lead too short|date=July 2023}} |
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[[Image:L-toilet5-fire.png|right|thumb|290px|An example of an early (1904) incinerating toilet from the [[Lexikon der gesamten Technik]]]] |
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[[File:L-toilet5-fire.png|thumb|An example of an early (1904) incinerating toilet from the ''[[Lexikon der gesamten Technik]]'']] |
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An '''incinerating toilet''' is a [[toilet]] that [[Incineration|burns]] [[Human feces|excrement]] instead of flushing it away with [[water]]. |
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An '''incinerating toilet''' is a type of [[dry toilet]] that burns [[human feces]] instead of flushing them away with [[water]], as does a [[flush toilet]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.epa.gov/environmental-topics/water-topics|title=Water Efficiency Technology Fact Sheet - Incinerating Toilets|first=OMS|last=US EPA|date=November 8, 2016|website=www.epa.gov}}</ref> The thermal energy used to incinerate the waste can be derived from electricity, fuel, oil, or liquified petroleum gas. They are relatively inefficient because of the fuel used.<ref>{{cite book | last=Pfafflin | first=J.R. | last2=Ziegler | first2=E.N. | title=Encyclopedia of Environmental Science and Engineering, Volumes One and Two | publisher=CRC Press | year=2006 | isbn=978-1-4398-5186-9 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eCXSCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA1088 | access-date=26 February 2024 | page=1088}}</ref> |
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==Systems== |
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There are two types of incinerating toilet: [[electricity|electric]] and [[natural gas|gas]] powered. Gas powered toilets are made by [http://www.ecojohn.com ECOJOHN], [http://www.storburn.ca Storburn], [http://www.usenburn.ca Usenburn], and [[Scanlet]], a [[Denmark|Danish]] company.Some major manufacturers of electric incinerating toilets are [[Incinolet]], New Zealand based [http://www.ecotoilets.co.nz Eco Toilets] and [http://www.ecotech.no Ecotech] from Norway. |
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== History == |
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===Diesel incinerating toilet=== |
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[[File:Entrance to the toilet part of the WiC. The blue section to the right also contains some of the drying and combustion components. (13466401585).jpg|thumb|upright|Example of incineration toilet under development by [[RTI International]]. The blue section to the right contains some of the drying and combustion components.]] |
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[http://www.ecojohn.com/ecojohn_wc.html ECOJOHN] WC series consist of a wide range of waste incinerators in different sizes and fuel sources. All products in the WC series incinerate from a holding tank and operate with low flush toilets. WC5, WC32, and WC48 are all included in the WC series and use Propane, Diesel, or Natural Gas as fuel source depending on model and size. The WC series are ideal in any remote application where a conventional toilet is too expensive or difficult to install. These incinerators along with a low flush toilet provide ecological, economical, and logistical benefits as well as eliminate costly and potential harmful environment which is often associated with a standard pump out process. |
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The WC series have the capability to incinerate between 1 to 7 gallons of waste per hour (depending on model). No chemicals are necessary to add in the waste holding tanks before incineration starts. |
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The first commercially successful incinerating toilet was the Destroilet, patented in 1946. Destroilets were used on ships in the 1960s when laws were passed to prevent the dumping of raw sewage into American waterways.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inspectapedia.com/septic/Incinerating_Toilet_Destroilet.php|title=The Destroilet Incinerating Toilet, features, history, design, operation of an elecrtric incinerating toilet|website=inspectapedia.com}}</ref> |
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===Gas incinerating toilet=== |
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'''ECOJOHN''' manufactures toilets that perform another important role in waste disposal. Their WC (Waste Combustion System) incinerate grey and black water created from showers and sinks. These systems are separate from the toilet, and normal low water flush toilets can be used. [http://www.ecojohn.com/ecojohn_wc.html ECOJOHN] offers three versions, a propane powered waste incinerator and a natural gas powered incinerator and a diesel powered incinerator. |
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Storburn International is the manufacturer of gas powered incinerating toilets, they offer two versions, a propane powered toilet and a natural gas powered toilet. The Storburn gas powered toilet is more like conventional water using toilets than the electric toilet. The toilet can be used between 40 and 50 times, or until the holding tank is full, before incineration. The incinerating process uses no electricity and reduces all waste to sterile ash and water vapor. The heat from the gas burner causes water to boil, which dissolves the solids. As water evaporates, the remaining solid matter falls into the flame and is turned into sterile ash. The interior chamber never needs to be cleaned because it sterilizes itself with each incineration cycle. |
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Storburn is also developing a portable [http://www.usenburn.ca Usenburn] model, which incinerates after each use. |
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In 2011, the [[Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation]] launched the "Reinvent the Toilet Challenge" to promote safer, more effective ways to treat human excreta. Several research teams have received funding to work on developing toilets based on solid waste combustion.<ref>Elisabeth von Muench, Dorothee Spuhler, Trevor Surridge, Nelson Ekane, Kim Andersson, Emine Goekce Fidan, Arno Rosemarin (2013) [http://www.susana.org/_resources/documents/default/2-2042-ssp-17okt20134-10-about-the-gates-sanitation-grants-on-forum.pdf Sustainable Sanitation Alliance members take a closer look at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s sanitation grants], Sustainable Sanitation Practice Journal, Issue 17, p. 4-10</ref> For example, a toilet under development by [[RTI International]] is based on electrochemical disinfection and solid waste combustion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abettertoilet.org/toilet-technologies/ |title=Our Technology | A Better Toilet |access-date=March 17, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317082223/http://abettertoilet.org/toilet-technologies/ |archive-date=March 17, 2014 }} RTI Reinvent the Toilet Project Team - Technology Overview</ref> This technology converts feces into burnable pieces and then uses [[Thermoelectric generator|thermoelectric]] devices to convert the thermal energy into electrical energy.{{citation needed|date=September 2017}} |
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===Electric incinerating toilet=== |
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Incinolet currently manufactures four different types of electric incinerating toilets for applications ranging from home use to portable [[RV]] use. All of their toilets use a similar system. |
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Before use, a bowl liner is dropped into the toilet to catch all waste. After use, the toilet is “flushed” by pushing a foot pedal. This drops the bowl liner and its contents into a lower chamber that is sealed off from the outside. The incineration cycle is then initiated with the push of the “start” button. This cycle takes 60 minutes, but the toilet can be used at any time during the cycle. The incineration process involves a heater and a blower. The electric heater raises the temperature of the storage chamber to about 650 [[Celsius|°C]] (1200 °[[Fahrenheit|F]]). and then shuts off until the temperature falls to below 540 °C (1000 °F). The heater cycles twice per minute. The blower goes on when the temperature inside the toilet reaches 55 °C (130 °F). and stays on after the incinerator shuts off until the toilet falls below 55 degrees Celsius. The ash left over is collected in the ash pan and should be disposed of when the ash is about ½ inch (≈1½ centimetre) deep. |
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== Design == |
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==Advantages and disadvantages== |
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Advantages: |
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*Uses no water |
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*Produces a fine sterile ash that can be safely disposed of |
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*Portable, simple to install, and easy to use. Can work in freezing conditions and remote areas |
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*Relatively odorless, compared to common storage outhouses and portable toilets |
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Incinerating toilets may be powered by [[electricity]], [[natural gas|gas]], [[Dry animal dung fuel|dried feces]] or other energy sources.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://envirocompostingtoilets.co.nz/|title=Enviro Composting Toilet Systems NZ|website=Enviro Composting Toilet Systems NZ|language=en-US|access-date=2016-11-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cinderellaeco.no/|title=Cinderella Forbrenningstoalett - Forsiden|website=www.cinderellaeco.no|access-date=2016-11-28}}</ref> Incinerating toilets gather excrement in an integral ashpan and then incinerate it, reducing it to [[pathogen]]-free ash.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.toiletwire.com/how-does-a-composting-toilet-work/| title= Composting Toilet Systems | access-date = 24 September 2016}}</ref> Some will also incinerate "grey water" created from showers and sinks.{{cn|date=July 2023}} |
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Disadvantages: |
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*Incineration destroys nutrients in waste, making ash less valuable for replenishing soil |
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*Requires energy—results in higher energy costs for users |
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*Not entirely pollution free, electric energy use leaves a [[carbon footprint]], and gas energy use releases some air pollutants |
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Applications |
== Applications == |
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*Rural areas where sewage systems are not practical for financial or geographic reasons. |
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*Job sites where permanent toilets are not available |
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*Marine vessels operating in areas that waste discharge is prohibited |
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*Areas where water is scarce |
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*Areas where water contamination is an issue. |
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Incinerating toilets are used only for niche applications, which include: |
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==References== |
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*{{cite web |
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* Apartments with limited or difficult access to waste plumbing. |
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| title =Incinerating Toilets - Compendium of Information on Alternative Onsite Septic System Technology in Massachusetts |
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* Houses without access to drains, and where building a [[septic tank]] would be difficult or uneconomic. |
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| publisher =Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment |
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* On [[yacht]]s and [[barge|canal barges]], as an alternative to a [[Blackwater (waste)|blackwater]] holding tank, which needs to be pumped out occasionally. |
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| date =2007 |
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* On [[mobile home]]s, [[recreational vehicle]]s and [[Caravan (towed trailer)|caravans]]/(trailers). |
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| url =http://www.barnstablecountyhealth.org/ia-systems/information-center/compendium-of-information-on-alternative-onsite-septic-system-technology |
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| accessdate = 2011-06-07}} |
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== References == |
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*{{cite web |
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| title =The Incinolet Advantage |
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{{refs}} |
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| publisher =Incinolet |
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| date =2006 |
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== External links == |
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| url =http://www.incinolet.com/aboutus_2.htm |
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{{commonscat}} |
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| accessdate = 2007-12-15}} |
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*{{cite web |
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* {{ cite web | title =Incinerating Toilets - Compendium of Information on Alternative Onsite Septic System Technology in Massachusetts | publisher =Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment | year =2007 | url =https://www.barnstablecountyhealth.org/resources/publications/compendium-of-information-on-alternative-onsite-septic-system-technology/incinerating-toilets | access-date = 21 July 2021 }} |
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| title =The Wilderness Comfort Station |
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* {{cite web |last=Freidman |first=Daniel |title=Using Incinerating Toilets as Components of Alternative Septic Systems for Difficult Sites |date=2007-07-14 |url=http://www.inspect-ny.com/septic/altincinerate.htm |access-date=2007-12-15 |archive-date=2006-10-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061016144746/http://www.inspect-ny.com/septic/altincinerate.htm |url-status=bot: unknown }} |
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| work = |
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* {{cite web |title=Water Efficiency Technology Fact Sheet: Incinerating Toilets |publisher=United States Environmental Protection Agency |date=September 1999 |url=http://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/incinera.pdf |access-date=2007-12-15 |archive-date=2000-09-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000930061701/http://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/incinera.pdf |url-status=bot: unknown }} |
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| publisher =Storburn |
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| date =2008 |
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| url =http://www.storburn.ca |
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| format = |
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| doi = |
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| accessdate = 2008-01-31}} |
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*{{cite web |
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| title =12V Diesel, Oil, Kerosene, Jet Fuel, Fired Toilet |
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| work = |
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| publisher =Usenburn |
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| date =2008 |
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| url =http://www.usenburn.ca |
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| format = |
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| doi = |
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| accessdate = 2008-01-31}} |
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*{{cite web |
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| last = Freidman |
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| first = Daniel |
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| title = Using Incinerating Toilets as Components of Alternative Septic Systems for Difficult Sites |
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| work = |
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| publisher = |
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| date = 2007-07-14 |
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| url = http://www.inspect-ny.com/septic/altincinerate.htm |
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| format = |
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| doi = |
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| accessdate = 2007-12-15 }} |
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*{{cite web |
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| last = |
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| first = |
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| authorlink = |
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| coauthors = |
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| title =Water Efficiency Technology Fact Sheet: Incinerating Toilets |
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| work = |
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| publisher =United States Environmental Protection Agency |
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| date =1999-09 |
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| url =http://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/incinera.pdf |
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| format = |
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| doi = |
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| accessdate = 2007-12-15 }} |
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{{Toilets}} |
{{Toilets}} |
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[[Category:Toilets]] |
[[Category:Toilets]] |
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[[Category:Incineration]] |
[[Category:Incineration]] |
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[[de:Feuerklosett]] |
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Latest revision as of 12:42, 4 September 2024
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An incinerating toilet is a type of dry toilet that burns human feces instead of flushing them away with water, as does a flush toilet.[1] The thermal energy used to incinerate the waste can be derived from electricity, fuel, oil, or liquified petroleum gas. They are relatively inefficient because of the fuel used.[2]
History
[edit].jpg)
The first commercially successful incinerating toilet was the Destroilet, patented in 1946. Destroilets were used on ships in the 1960s when laws were passed to prevent the dumping of raw sewage into American waterways.[3]
In 2011, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation launched the "Reinvent the Toilet Challenge" to promote safer, more effective ways to treat human excreta. Several research teams have received funding to work on developing toilets based on solid waste combustion.[4] For example, a toilet under development by RTI International is based on electrochemical disinfection and solid waste combustion.[5] This technology converts feces into burnable pieces and then uses thermoelectric devices to convert the thermal energy into electrical energy.[citation needed]
Design
[edit]Incinerating toilets may be powered by electricity, gas, dried feces or other energy sources.[6][7] Incinerating toilets gather excrement in an integral ashpan and then incinerate it, reducing it to pathogen-free ash.[8] Some will also incinerate "grey water" created from showers and sinks.[citation needed]
Applications
[edit]Incinerating toilets are used only for niche applications, which include:
- Apartments with limited or difficult access to waste plumbing.
- Houses without access to drains, and where building a septic tank would be difficult or uneconomic.
- On yachts and canal barges, as an alternative to a blackwater holding tank, which needs to be pumped out occasionally.
- On mobile homes, recreational vehicles and caravans/(trailers).
References
[edit]- ^ US EPA, OMS (November 8, 2016). "Water Efficiency Technology Fact Sheet - Incinerating Toilets". www.epa.gov.
- ^ Pfafflin, J.R.; Ziegler, E.N. (2006). Encyclopedia of Environmental Science and Engineering, Volumes One and Two. CRC Press. p. 1088. ISBN 978-1-4398-5186-9. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- ^ "The Destroilet Incinerating Toilet, features, history, design, operation of an elecrtric incinerating toilet". inspectapedia.com.
- ^ Elisabeth von Muench, Dorothee Spuhler, Trevor Surridge, Nelson Ekane, Kim Andersson, Emine Goekce Fidan, Arno Rosemarin (2013) Sustainable Sanitation Alliance members take a closer look at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s sanitation grants, Sustainable Sanitation Practice Journal, Issue 17, p. 4-10
- ^ "Our Technology | A Better Toilet". Archived from the original on March 17, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2014. RTI Reinvent the Toilet Project Team - Technology Overview
- ^ "Enviro Composting Toilet Systems NZ". Enviro Composting Toilet Systems NZ. Retrieved 2016-11-28.
- ^ "Cinderella Forbrenningstoalett - Forsiden". www.cinderellaeco.no. Retrieved 2016-11-28.
- ^ "Composting Toilet Systems". Retrieved 24 September 2016.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Incinerating toilet.
- "Incinerating Toilets - Compendium of Information on Alternative Onsite Septic System Technology in Massachusetts". Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment. 2007. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- Freidman, Daniel (2007-07-14). "Using Incinerating Toilets as Components of Alternative Septic Systems for Difficult Sites". Archived from the original on 2006-10-16. Retrieved 2007-12-15.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - "Water Efficiency Technology Fact Sheet: Incinerating Toilets" (PDF). United States Environmental Protection Agency. September 1999. Archived from the original on 2000-09-30. Retrieved 2007-12-15.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)