Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering won the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation ‘Reinvent the Toilet’ competition with this sewage system. Not only is the Supercritical Sanitation System self-sustaining, it’s also portable and will fit inside of a shipping container.
The waste treatment processor has the potential to change the way communities manage sewage. This high-efficiency machine is capable of of handling a community of 1,200 people. This is especially relevant to developing communities, as it gives them an alternative to getting rid of waste in rivers or other bodies of water. Clean water and sanitation is an enormous issue for these communities, as their health and basic needs are compromised when their water sources are often multifunctional.
Once full the sewage system can either be pumped, or the contents can be carried to another location. Waste in the container goes into a ‘supercritical state,’ which means water is exposed to extreme temperatures and pressure. In this state, the water can dissolve into gas and can also dissolve other liquids. Furthermore, the dissolved sewage can be oxidized and turned into a sterile amalgamation of water, carbon dioxide and salt.
Self-Sustaining Sewage Systems
This Waste Management Machine Turns Waste Into Drinking Water
Trend Themes
1. Self-sustaining Sewage Systems - The Supercritical Sanitation System offers a disruptive innovation opportunity in waste management by transforming waste into drinking water.
2. Portable Waste Treatment Processors - The portable and efficient sewage system opens up possibilities for on-the-go waste management solutions for communities in developing areas.
3. Water Pollution Reduction - The use of the Supercritical Sanitation System can help reduce water pollution by providing a sustainable and effective method for treating sewage.
Industry Implications
1. Environmental Engineering - The Supercritical Sanitation System presents an opportunity for environmental engineering companies to create innovative solutions for waste management.
2. Sustainable Development - The portable waste treatment processor can contribute to sustainable development efforts in areas lacking proper sewage infrastructure.
3. Water Treatment and Sanitation - The technology behind the Supercritical Sanitation System can be applied in the water treatment and sanitation industry to improve access to clean water and reduce pollution.