In a country with the unfortunate tag of being the open defecation capital of the world, sanitation is an urgent civic crisis. Firmly believing that sewage could be a valuable resource, I focused on reorienting technology to generate clean alternative energy while simultaneously addressing the predominant sanitation problem in line with the UN’s 6th SDG.
The mobile toilet is a sensor-based technology with automated access control, attached to a solar energy driven vehicle. The waste is segregated at source. Solid waste would be directed towards the production of colourless and odourless biogas, whereas the urine is processed to generate electricity via electrolysis. The prototype was developed on voice processor 6000 with 3 DC motors, solar cell, and a digital circuit along with LED indicators.
The mobile toilet aims to promote hygiene and health, support water conservation and eco-friendly waste management, and produce renewable energy.
Working of the project:
1. A mobile toilet attached to a solar energy driven vehicle with separate toilets for males and females. Waste will be separated at source.
2. The toilet is constructed as Asian squat seat to reduce the chances of infection and contamination. However, a toilet chair will be available for physically differently abled people for ease of use.
3. The collected excreta is taken for disposal in a nearby deputed area. The solid waste is directed towards production of biogas whereas the urine is processed to generate electricity.
4. A fixed- dome type of biogas plant is used for production of biogas
5. Urine has 95% water and 2% urea. Electricity is produced from urine by electrolysis. Urea is less tightly bonded than the hydrogen atoms in water molecules. To break the molecule down, a voltage of 0.37v is applied across the cell – much less than the 1.23v needed to split water. When urine is electrolyzed, hydrogen gas is produced at the cathode which is passed through a water filter to purify the hydrogen gas. The gas is then passed through a cylinder and liquefied at low temperature and high pressure. Borax cylinder removes rest of the moisture and electricity is produced when it passes thought a generator.
