- Incinerating toilet
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An incinerating toilet is a toilet that burns excrement instead of flushing it away with water.
Description
Incinerating toilet may be powered by electric, gas or other energy sources.[1][2]
All products incinerate from a holding tank to eliminate costly and potential harmful environment which is often associated with a standard pump out process. They can incinerate between 1 to 7 gallons of waste per hour and no chemicals are necessary to add in the waste holding tanks before incineration starts They are promoted for use in remote application where a conventional toilet is too expensive or difficult to install. Some will also incinerate grey and black water created from showers and sinks. One type has a holding tank allowing the unit to be used 40-50 times before the incineration process started which reduces all waste to sterile ash and water vapor.
Advantages:
- Uses no water
- Produces a fine sterile ash that can be safely disposed of
- Portable, simple to install, and easy to use. Can work in freezing conditions and remote areas
- Relatively odorless, compared to common storage outhouses and portable toilets
Disadvantages:
- Incineration destroys nutrients in waste, making ash less valuable for replenishing soil
- Requires energy—results in higher energy costs for users
- Not entirely pollution free, electric energy use leaves a carbon footprint, and gas energy use releases some air pollutants
Applications:
- Rural areas where sewage systems are not practical for financial or geographic reasons.
- Job sites where permanent toilets are not available
- Marine vessels operating in areas that waste discharge is prohibited
- Areas where water is scarce
- Areas where water contamination is an issue.
References
Further reading
- "Incinerating Toilets - Compendium of Information on Alternative Onsite Septic System Technology in Massachusetts". Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment. 2007. http://www.barnstablecountyhealth.org/ia-systems/information-center/compendium-of-information-on-alternative-onsite-septic-system-technology. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- "The Incinolet Advantage". Incinolet. 2006. http://www.incinolet.com/aboutus_2.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-15.
- "The Wilderness Comfort Station". Storburn. 2008. http://www.storburn.ca. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- "12V Diesel, Oil, Kerosene, Jet Fuel, Fired Toilet". Usenburn. 2008. http://www.usenburn.ca. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- Freidman, Daniel (2007-07-14). "Using Incinerating Toilets as Components of Alternative Septic Systems for Difficult Sites". http://www.inspect-ny.com/septic/altincinerate.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-15.
- "Water Efficiency Technology Fact Sheet: Incinerating Toilets". United States Environmental Protection Agency. 1999-09. http://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/incinera.pdf. Retrieved 2007-12-15.
Toilets Features Types See also Female urination device · Privatization of public toilets · Washroom attendant · Toilet paper orientation · History of sanitationCategories:- Toilets
- Incineration
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