Neighborhood-scale treatment of fecal sludge by supercritical oxidation

Purpose

The project seeks to demonstrate that both, supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) and supercritical water gasification (SCWG), a related technology, have prominent roles to play in solving the world’s sanitation challenges.

Activities

Engineers at Duke University and the University of Missouri are designing a unit that addresses the treatment of human waste and possible reuse of the system’s byproducts. It will sanitize the collected waste of approximately 1000-1200 people — a neighborhood-scale solution.

The technology being employed, supercritical water oxidation (SCWO), is promising because it works quickly and generates energy in the forms of hot water and steam from the treatment of human waste. It does not require prior dewatering or drying of fecal sludge, and it effectively eliminates all types of harmful organisms. SCWO technology has already been implemented in research and commercial applications to treat waste products including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chemical weapons and sewage sludge.

Countries of activity

Location of main activity

Objectives

The objective of this project is to produce a demonstration unit that fits into a 20 ft. shipping container and quickly and safely turns fecal sludge into sterile water and harmless byproducts. An economic model that quantifies and optimizes the economic, environmental and social benefits of the unit is also under development. A successful design will deliver economic opportunity to operators at a local level in developing countries.

Filter tags

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Community sanitation Fundamental research and engineering Global North America Product design and engineering Treatment of wastewater or greywater University, education or research institution

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