A final report to develop the Windmill-Driven ATAD for use in underdeveloped countries (Grand Challenges Exploration (GCE), Round 6) The overarching goal of a decentralized system for 15-20 villagers has been demonstrated on industrial waste with a small amount of sewage-human excreta. The system has been driven by renewable energy and the chemical energy contained in the feed, and has survived maintenance of thermophilic temperatures and residence times needed for pathogen reduction. While we have conclusively shown this for swine waste, this project will expand to application of an industrial waste with low level of in an outside pilot system with varying weather conditions. The objective of this work is to generate maximum pathogen removal for all pathogens present. Conclusions: • Definite proof was attained that the Windmill-ATAD system is active at pathogen killing temperatures for at least several days in calm winds. Suggestions are that it may stay active destroying pathogens at times measured in weeks in appropriate further experiments. • Strong rates of COD2 removal were confirmed supporting the generation of biological heat. • Reactor Temperature increased during the runs over the 5-6 months even though the available wind dropped. • Biological Heat Production was limited by one or both of these causes: 1) Possibly inhibitory feedstock, and/or, 2) an underpowered windmill system. Both are solvable and the 2012 SIUC Engineering Design Team has built and tested a windmill blower system nearly 4 times more effective than the manufacturer’s windmill. • The 2013 Design Team is now working on the difficult future problems of mixing the system without electrical agitation. • Since our water will be disinfected, a new device to attempt to make it potable water may be attainable. • This area is worthy for continued development. Further information and a discussion is available on the SuSanA discussion forum: http://forum.susana.org/forum/categories/105-high-tech-processes-and-biotechnology/3365-windmill-driven-atad-autothermal-thermophilic-aerobic-digester-for-increased-pathogen-removal-final-report-and-results

Bibliographic information

Blackburn, J. (2013). Decentralized next generation sanitation for diarrheal pathogens, final report to develop the Windmill-Driven ATAD for use in underdeveloped countries Various documents on results from research grant Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, USA (Final Report to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, USA)

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