Disinfection of latrine faecal sludge with ammonia naturally present in excreta (Safe Sludge)
2011 - 2013 • University of California - Berkeley (UCB)
Purpose
Ammonia (NH3) is a powerful disinfectant that can be produced from mixing urine and feces and adding an alkalinizing agent to raise the pH level. The safe sludge is compatible with downstream treatment and resource recovery.
Activities
Ammonia (NH3) is a powerful chemical disinfectant that previous research shown to inactivate pathogens. NH3 can be produced from mixing urine, which contains urea, and feces, which contains the enzyme urease. Urease is a catalyst that converts (via hydrolysis) urea into NH3. The safe sludge can then be converted to fertilizer or fuel.
The goal of this project is to disinfect excreta in latrines by converting the ammonia naturally found in urine and faeces into a powerful disinfectant by adding an alkalinizing agent to raise the pH level.
Countries of activity
Location of main activity
Objectives
Treat excreta at the point of collection by harnessing ammonia from human waste, compatible with downstream treatment and resource recovery.
Further information
Work on the project is continuing through student team projects in design classes at UC Berkeley. Funding has been obtained through campus to support field work in Nairobi in summer 2013, in collaboration with Sanergy.
Filter tags
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Fundamental research and engineering Global North America Product design and engineering Sub-Saharan Africa Treatment of wastewater or greywater University, education or research institution
Links
Uploaded by:
Trevor Surridge (tmsinnovation)
