Neighborhood-scale treatment of fecal sludge by supercritical oxidation 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.
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.
Mission
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.Answer questions about the project
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Community sanitationProduct design and engineeringGlobalTreatment of wastewater or greywaterFundamental research and engineeringOtherBill & Melinda Gates FoundationUniversity, education or research institution
Related Countries
United States
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