Earlier phases of the research were successful in destroying helminth eggs in fecal sludge using viscous heating. The next step is to scale-up the equipment for larger flow rates.
We were successful in destroying Helminth eggs, particularly Ascaris lumbricoides, in VIP sludge during Phase 2 using viscous heating. Our next step is to scale-up the equipment for larger flow rates. This year we will design, build and test equipment that can operate effectively at 200 and 1000 L/hr. Our computational fluid dynamics design is underway with construction of devices beginning in May and testing in Durban during late summer and fall. Viscous heating allows any viscous fluid to heat itself on the molecular level by passing it through a shear field. No additional heating is required, we have achieved experimental temperatures up to 190 C. For Ascaris, no eggs have survived 80 C effluent temperatures. Water addition is not desired.
Research or implementation partners: Oklahoma State University – Jim Smay, lead, and University of KwaZulu-Natal – Chris Buckley, lead
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Faecal sludge treatment processes Fundamental research and engineering Global North America Product design and engineering Sub-Saharan Africa Treatment of wastewater or greywater University, education or research institution
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Elisabeth von Muench (Elisabeth)
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