Characterization of faecal material behaviour during drying

Purpose

To support the research of drying characteristics and data of faecal matter, and dissemination of findings to sanitation practitioners working in developing countries

Activities

The aim of the project is to provide, through research, useful data and knowledge to the sanitation practitioners that could assist to overcome their technological gaps. The outcomes from the project will lead to the development of guidelines of best practices, which could culminate in the redaction of an engineering handbook on fecal sludge drying.

The first stage of the project consists in determining the landscape of faecal sludge drying so as to identify the main gaps and select the areas of more interest where the research should be oriented. This landscape study is conducted by a literature survey and direct communication with the sanitation practitioners. Following the outcomes from the landscape study, an experimental work will be performed to study different aspect from faecal sludge drying. Important emphasis will be brought to the diffusion of the data and knowledge generated from this project. The diffusion of the information will be done by classical means (publication of papers in peer-review journals, presentation in conferences, infographics) and by interactive platforms (organization of web seminars and a workshop, among other options).

Countries of activity

Location of main activity

Objectives

This project aims at filling in the lack of data on the thermal processing of faecal matter, which is one of the identified gaps by sanitation practitioners. This will be done by combing the overlapping expertise of three research groups.

Further information

The research project will be done in collaboration with Swansea University and Cranfield University. This partnership combines the complementary expertise of the three institutions: expertise in faecal sludge characterization at the PRG; expertise in material science characterization in Swansea University; expertise in the thermochemical conversion of faecal sludge in Cranfield University.

Filter tags

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Energy: fuel (liquid or solid) Faecal sludge treatment processes Fundamental research and engineering Global Practitioners Product design and engineering Resource recovery Sub-Saharan Africa Treatment of faecal sludge Treatment of wastewater or greywater University, education or research institution

Links