You are on page 1of 96

Waste to Wealth

Dr. A. Abdul Rahman

Tamil Alai
1

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Waste to Wealth
Dr. A. Abdul Rahman
First Edition
December - 2012
Contact
Mobile : +91 94433 39369
E.mail : aarahaman@gmail.com
Published by

Tamil Alai
80/24B Parthasarathypet Street
Teynampet, Chennai - 600 086
Cell - 97862 18777
eMail - tamilalai@gmail.com
Pages: 96
Price : Rs.150
Waste to Wealth

Dedicated
to

Thiru.

T.S. Srinivasamurthy, I.F.S

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Foreword
The decades of experience in academic, industrial and
field research is worth documenting.
Professionally a scientist, as a citizen I feel obligatory to
publish the technical know-how on waste management. It
is a pleasure to let the public know about the technologies
that have been implemented on solid waste management,
waste water treatment and bio gas production. This will be
an initiative to practice the eco friendly and cost effective
technology. I shall continue presenting technologies specific
to industries in solar salt works, tannery, textile, distillery and
sewage. I feel honoured to have taken up this and to receive
encouragement from various sources.
The readers comments and constructive criticisms are
solicited for the betterment of this initiative.

Prof. Dr. Abdul Rahman


Sri Sairam Advanced Centre for Research
West Tambaram Chennai-600 044.
E.mail:aarahaman@gmail.com
+919443339369

Waste to Wealth

S.no

CONTENTS

1.
Waste Management

Introduction

Stepping into a greener word
2.
Chapter - 1

Solid Waste Management

Biocompost
3.
Chapter - 2

Bio Gas Plant

Introduction

Design of the biogas plant

Advantages

Process

Biogas plant civil construction

Tackling problems of bio gas plant
4.
Chapter - 3

Waste water management

Introduction

Composition of grey water
5.

Chapter - 4
Grey water treatment by
Root Zone bed Technology

Page
7

28

60

71

6.
Chapter - 5

Human Urine Treatment

Fabrication of urine treatment reactor

80

7.
Chapter - 6

Mosquito Control and

Water Treatment Using Ecobioballs

91

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Words are inadequate to express my hearty gratitude and sincere
thanks to our beloved and respected chairman Thiru. Mjf. Ln. Leo Muthu,
Thiru. J.Sai Prakash, CEO / Managing Trustee,
Dr. T. Suriya Kumar, Registrar, Sairam Group of Institutions.
Prof.V.R.Rajamanickam, Director
Dr.C.V.Jayakumar, Principal,
Prof.Dr.A.Rajendra Prasad, Dean (R&D)
Sri Sairam Engineering College
&
Prof.Dr.G.Victor Rajamanickam, Director (R& D)
Sairam Advanced Centre for Research, West Tambaram, Chennai for
their guidance and encouragement.
I have special thanks to offer for the personalities as they helped me
in accomplishing my endeavours through my participation in academic
activities, workshops and training camps.
Dr. G. Natarajan, FCA, Chairman, Gojan Educational Institutions. Chennai
Dr.Sethu Kumanan,Chairman, Soka Ikeda College of Arts & Science for
women, Madhanangkuppam Chennai
Thiru.B.Haribabu,Chairman,Sri Venkateswara College of
Technology,Vadakkal Village, Sriperumbadur, Chennai
Er.S.Selvamani,Chairman,E.S Engineering College, Villupuram
Dr. H. Malleshappa, IFS., Director of Environment & Member Secretary,
EMAT-NGC, Er. S. Arumugam, Executive Engineer,
Department of Environment, Tamil Nadu Government, Chennai
Er. R. Lakshmi, M.E., District Environment Engineer,
Tamil Pollution Control Board, Pudukkottai.
Dr.M.Suresh Gandhi, Coordinator INSPIRE science camp,Department of
Geology,Univesity of Madras,
Dr.P. Mariappan, Asistant Engineer, TWAD Board, Trichirapalli
I am indebted to Mr. H. Ishaq ,Tamil Alai Media World, Chennai
for his valuable suggestions and for the successful
completion of this project.
I thank Ms. Sindhu Sivalingam and Mr. R. Venugopal for their assistance in
accomplishing the book by sparing their valuable time.
I believe the valuable support from the above personalities will continue
to be forthcoming in the future also enabling me to make my endeavours
enduring while establishing a humane relationship.

Prof. A.
Waste to Wealth

Abdul Rahman

WASTE MANAGEMENT
INTRODUCTION
A journey towards excellence is both exhilarating as well as
daunting a concept realized by vision to action oriented plan
of developing and implementing technologies from the wastes as
residual utilization to wealth, useful for healthy living to mankind.
This technology is cost effective, eco-friendly and is every mans
need at doorstep. This initiative heads to prevent the menace that
could arise out of improper waste management that we generate.
Without knowing ways of safe disposal, burning of solid waste
is also practiced in several places which produces highly toxic
gases.
It is indeed possible to safely manage waste both of solid and
liquid nature that is generated in every household and community
dwellings like students hostel etc., Implementation of these
technologies can prevent the problems due to flies, microbes, waste
water stagnation, unpleasant smell, and breeding of mosquitoes.
This reality once practiced will ensure a hygienic environment that
guarantees a physically, mentally and socially healthy living family.
The prime cost that is required is your time and effort. Time that
will make the place you live better in every aspect, time that will
make every home realize the zero waste concept.

STEPPING INTO A GREENER WORLD


Each household produces solid varying quantities of and liquid
wastes depending upon the size of the family. However, generally

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

about 200-250 gms of solid waste/ per individual is generated. In


addition, 50-100L of liquid waste such as grey water (Household
use water/bathroom water) and 1- 1.5 L yellow water (urine) are
also produced as effluent waste. In addition, there is solid and
liquid waste generated in our kitchens. As we know cooking also
produces a lot of heat. All the waste can be managed with a little
effort from our side.
Did you know that every household could contribute towards
reducing the effect of global warming by taking some creative
measures? Planting bamboo saplings near our kitchens will reduce
CO2 emission to a great extent since bamboos have the capacity
to absorb Carbon dioxide. You may find several such interesting
concepts and technologies in this booklet.

The first step we ought to take will be the 3 R concept:


1. Reduce Simply carry a cloth bag wherever you go, so that the
polythene bags usage can be avoided
2. Reuse - Grey water after treatment can be reused for toilet
flushing
3. Recycle For example, the water that we use /per day namely
150 L can be reduced by recycling the grey water for gardening
purpose
4. There is yet another new concept, Up cycle that you can practice
graciously! Simply. identifying unused materials at home and giving
them away to the people who may need it could not only reduce
the stress of keeping the waste in the household but would be a
generous gesture. The 3R concept when consciously practised
would translate to 3 H (head (Awareness Instinct ),heart
(Passion- Intelligent ) and hand (Converting into practice-Input) to
3 I s . as we become emotionally intellingent.

Waste to Wealth

Chapter - 1

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Solid waste comprise all the waste arising from human and
animal activities that are normally solid and that are wasted or
unwanted.
It is estimated that solid waste generated in small, medium and
large cities and towns in India is about 0.1 kg, 0.3 0.4 kg and 0.5
kg per capita per day respectively. Studies carried out by NEERI
indicated that the per capita generation rate increases with the
size of the city and varies between 0.3 to 0.6 kg/day. The estimated
annual increase in per capita waste quantity is about 1.33% per year.
As per a recent survey (CPCB, 1999), the quantities of municipal
solid waste generation in metro cities are as follows.

Composition of Municipal Solid Waste


Descripion
Quantity %

Vegetable, leaves

40.15

Grass

Paper

Plastic

Glass/ceramics

0.44

Metal

0.64

Stones/ashes

41.81

Miscellaneous

11.73

3.80

0.81

0.62

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

The following data indicates the composition of solid wastes in Tamil


Nadu state.

Description %

Plastics

7.04

Green wastes

Inerts

Paper

6.45

Timber & wood

6.99

Food wastes

8.0

Rubber & Leather

1.45

Rags & Textiles

3.14

Metals

0.03

32.25

34.65

It is also stated that 60 % waste is generated from residential


buildings of urban local bodies in Tamil Nadu state.

Environmental Concerns due to waste handling: Greenhouse gases from solid waste activities Landfills are top
source of methane GHG; refuse fleets are significant sources of Co2
and N2O. Wasted recyclable materials have lost inherent energy
production activities (i.e., Co2 and N2O).
Volatilized heavy metals (e.g., mercury and lead), dioxins and furans
from open burning dumpsites are low-standard incinerators.
Leachate from unlined and uncovered, dumpsites contaminates
ground and surface waters become breeding ground for animals
and mosquitoes.

Waste to Wealth

10

Health concern :
Short terms

1. Water Pollution

a. Eutrophication

b. Heavy metals

Long terms

2. Air Pollution

a. Green house effect

b. Ozone depletion

c. Acid rain

3. Soil Pollution

a. Heavy metals

Health Concerns due to waste handling :


Infection contact with human fecal matter particularly fecal
bacteria E.coli, blood, and diseased tissue; contact with diseased
dead decaying organic matter and manure particularly cow dung
could cause Tetanus.
Animal diseases foraging of animals/birds at open dumps;
recycling of slaughter waste into animal feed. (Tanney lime flesh
as feed to chickens).
Respiratory disease particulates and bio aerosols reduce
pulmonary function.
Cancer volatilized refractory organics from landfill gases; heavy
metals, dioxins and furans from poorly controlled burning.
Headaches lack of oxygen and excessive CO from dumpsite
decomposition and half burning.
Injury wounds from sharps, traffic accidents.

11

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Management of municipal solid waste involves:


1. Development of an insight into the impact of waste generation,
collection, transportation and disposal methods adopted by a
society on the environment.
2. Adoption of new methods to reduce this impact.

Reasons for inadequacy and inefficiency in MSW


Apathy of Municipal Authorities
Absence of Community Participation

DRAWBACKS IN PRESENT SWM SERVICES


(Inadequate, lacking or absent )
No Storage of Waste at Source.
No System of Primary Collection from the Doorstep.
Irregular Street Sweeping.
Waste Storage Depots.
Transportation of Waste.
Disposal of Waste

TECHNOLOGIES AVAILABLE FOR PROCESSING, TREATMENT,


AND DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE
1. A. Composting
B. Vermi composting
C. Anaerobic Digestion and bio methanation
2. Waste to Energy
A. Production of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) or Pelletization
B. Incineration
Waste to Wealth

12

C. Pyrolysis/Gasification, Plasma Pyrolysis Vitrification (PPV)/Plasma


Arc Process.
D. Sanitary Landfills and Landfill Gas Recovery.

A.1.Composting
Composting is the decomposition of organic matter by microorganism
in warm, moist, aerobic and anaerobic environment. Farmers
have been using compost made out of cow dung and other agrowaste.
The compost made out of urban heterogeneous waste is found to
be of higher nutrient value as compared to the compost made out
of cow dung and agro-waste.
Composting is suitable for organic biodegradable fraction of
MSW, yard (or garden) waste/waste containing high proportion
of lignocelluloses materials, which do not readily degrade under
anaerobic conditions, waste from slaughterhouse and dairy
waste.
This method, however, is not very suitable for wastes that may be
too wet and during heavy rains open compost plants have to be
stopped.Leaves have to be dried before composting.
Any organic waste gets 12 hours to get biodegraded aerobically.
Hence remove it from the site before it produces odour problem.

2. Vermicomposting
Vermi-compost is the natural organic manure produced from the
excreta of earthworms fed on scientifically semi-decomposed
organic waste.
This process has been successfully used in a limited scale up to 80
metric ton per day in Bangalore, Pune, Mumbai etc. but there is
no large-scale centralized plant experiences in India.

13

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

3. Anaerobic Digestion and Biomethanation


Biomethanation is a comparatively well-established technology
for disinfections, deodorization and stabilization of sewage sludge,
farmyard manures, animal slurries, and industrial sludge.
It leads to bio-gas/power generation in addition to production of
compost (residual sludge as resourse)
This method is suitable for kitchen wastes and, other putrescible
wastes, which may be too wet and lacking in structure for aerobic
composting. It is a net energy-producing process (100150 kwh
per tonnes of waste input).
This method is suitable for only the organic biodegradable fraction
of MSW; it does not degrade any complex organics or oils, grease,
or ligno-cellulosic materials such as yard waste.

B. Waste to Energy
Waste - to-energy plants can be constructed closer to the source.
Waste-to-energy plants can handle upto 25 to 100 Tons/day.
The waste producer takes responsibility and fore see an immediate
benefit in power generated.
Such plants are small, simple and inexpensive to manufacture,
install and operate.
It comes with an advantage of low gas emissions and hence is easy
to comply with regulations.
Public - Private Partnership mode could be used for such
projects.

4.Production of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) or Pelletization


It is basically a processing method for mixed MSW, which can
Waste to Wealth

14

be very effective in preparing an enriched fuel feed for thermal


processes like incineration or industrial furnaces. This fuel is
produced by shredding or steam treating MSW.
As Pelletization involves significant MSW sorting operations, it
provides a greater opportunity to remove environmentally harmful
materials from the incoming waste prior to combustion.
Pellets are derived by compressing organic components of
MSW(plastics and biodegradables) into hollow bricks, logs or
cubes.

RDF Plants in India:


Such plants are in the initial stage of development in India. The
viability and sustainability of the technology process and projects
underway, are still being examined.

5.Incineration
Specially instakked incenerators are recommended for safe disposal
of sanitary napkins.Conventionally practiced method is either
harmful or poses problems such as choking of sewage pipelines
due to flushing of napkins.
This method, commonly used in developed countries is most
suitable for high calorific value waste with a large component of
paper, plastic, packaging material, pathological wastes etc.
It can reduce waste volumes by over 90 per cent and convert waste
to innocuous material, with energy recovery.

6. Arc Process
Pyrolysis/Gasification, Plasma Pyrolysis Vitrification (PPV)/Plasma
Plasma gasification is a non-incineration thermal process, which uses
extremely high temperatures in an oxygen-starved environment to

15

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

completely decompose input waste (MSW, biomass) material into


very simple molecules. The extreme heat and lack of oxygen results
in pyrolysis of the input waste material.
Pyrolysis gasification processes are established for homogenous
organic matter like wood, pulp, etc., while plasma pyrolysis
vitrification is a relatively new technology for disposal of particularly
hazardous wastes, radioactive wastes, etc.
Toxic materials get encapsulated in vitreous mass, which is relatively
much safer to handle than incinerator/gasifier ash.
This process produces fuel gas/fuel oil, which replace fossil fuels and
compared to incineration, atmospheric pollution can be controlled
at the plant level. NO and SO gas emissions do not occur in normal
operations due to the lack of oxygen in the system.

7. Sanitary Landfills and Landfill Gas Recovery.


Sanitary landfills are the ultimate means of disposal of all types of
residual, residential, commercial and institutional waste as well as
unutilized municipal solid waste from waste processing facilities and
other types of inorganic waste and inert that cannot be reused or
recycled in the foreseeable future.
Its main advantage is that it is the least cost option for waste
disposal and has the potential for the recovery of landfill gas as a
source of energy, with net environmental gains if organic wastes
are land filled.
In India, organic waste is not to be put in landfills, hence there does
not exist the potential for this.

Waste to Wealth

16

BIOCOMPOST
Process: Simply put, the process of converting food waste to
organic manure involves aerobic bacteria-mediated chemical
transformations.
Food waste is collected from the hotels,hostels and mega dining
facility and is treated with bacteria in bins with sufficient aeration
in the plant. The process takes about 36 days when provided with
regular aeration and moisture. If organic waste contains more
moisture, worms will emerge resulting anaerobic condition.Hence
the lumps have to be broken by constant stirring allowing enough
aeration.

Process illustrating conversion of organic waste to manure

17

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Waste to Wealth

18

The biocompost plant was constructed at Goa.

A VIEW OF KITCHEN FOOD WASTES

19

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Bacterial solution being added to the collected food waste.

It is better to use Effective


Microorganisms initially as
bacterial media to convert
the waste into manure. While
doing this, one could use
plastic media in the form
of rings, an inert material
which will help to immobilise
bacteria. After the formation of
the compost, the media with
bacteria could be seperated
and used for fresh wastes in
order to avoid cost.

Waste to Wealth

20

Food waste mixed with bacterial solution being added to biocompost


chamber.

The biocompost chamber containing food wastes are in the process of


composting.

21

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

The mixing and removal of compost.

Collected compost material for segregation.


Waste to Wealth

22

The total compost material is seived. Fine compost collected in bin.


The coarse compost material is separated and recycled.

Coarse compost being seived.

23

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

The author
training the
staff to carry
out composting
and collection of
manure.

Finished product - manure.


Waste to Wealth

24

Odourless manure.

(R-L) Mr. Samir Khanna GM, Er.K.S.Sahadevan Chief Engineer.


The author with manure at Vivanta by Taj at Bekal, Kerala.

25

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Compost being added to the plants as manure.

Waste to Wealth

26

27

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Chapter - 2

BIOGAS PLANT

Introduction:
There is a single simple solution to answer two major problems we face
- combating high cost of energy and accumulated biodegradable wastes;
solution being Biogas plants.Incorporating biogas plant in the construction
phase of the apartments or community houses does not only save cost on
constructing separate septic tank for toilet but also converts your waste
to energy.
An anaerobic biogas reactor is an anaerobic treatment technology
that produces a mix of methane, CO2 and traces of other gases that can
be easily converted to electricity, light and heat. Since the bio gas plant is
under ground construction it also minimises land use.

Design of the biogas plant:


The biogas plant is designed for 15m3 capacity and can handle
biodegradable wastes upto 300 to 400 kg per day. Construction: The plant
is constructed below the ground at 4m depth takes about 18-20 days with
four skilled workers for completion.However the author has constructed
different Biogas plants of 15 m3 ,40 m3, 90 m3 capacities.Although the
Waste to Wealth

28

technical process is the same, the method of construction varies depending


upon the terrain.

Advantages
Generation of a renewable valuable energy source is the key of biogas
plant. low capital cost; low operating cost; long life span. Ecofriendly, zero
maintenance, no sludge, no odour and no risk in handling biogas.

Raw materials such as kitchen wastes food wastes and toilet


wastes are used to generate green energy include biodegradable material.
Egg shells may be avoided as it contains calcium salts. There is no need
to construct separate septic tank for black water disposal. The energy
generated is directly used as energy for kitchen. The waste water produced
is utilised for garden,after passing into sand filter.
Toilet linked biogas plant need to have separate treatment facility
as the chemicals used for cleaning the toilet will kill the bacterial load in the
digestion chamber and biogas emission will be poor. However, solid wastes
from the toilet septic tank could be charged into the chamber separating
the liquid wastes.

Construction of Digester comprises:


1. Circular vertical wall to withstand load due to waste materials
2. Brick and RCC semicircular dome for Gas storage
3. Rectangular shaped inlet tank for waste feeding
4. Rectangular shaped digested slurry overflow tank
5. Valves, Bends, Fittings etc. as required
6.Plant Lighting
7.Piping line and supports are to be provided for the inlet of the waste
feeding tank and from the slurry overflow tank and Methane gas line to
burner

29

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

All consumables like power, water, chemicals and lubricants required


for the initial start-up and normal operating of the plant are to be kept.

Testing facility
Testing facility for testing the waste and overflow are required for proper
maintenance of the plant.
Commissioning the plant requires stepwise execution and
monitoring.
The work consisting of the followings:
1. Site clearing
2. Excavation for pit
3. Bottom packing

4. Bottom Reinforced Cement Concrete


5. Vertical wall

6. Dome brick work

7. Dome RCC

8. Dome plastering

9. Vertical wall plastering


10. Bottom plastering
11. In let chamber
12. Out let chamber
13. In let and out let plastering
14. Out let slab
15. Gas pipe line (High Density Polyethelene)
16. Bio gas burner (corrosion free)

Waste to Wealth

30

Process:
Methane gas is produced through anaerobic digestion (fermentation) of
decaying plants, animal matter, and food waste. It is the naturally occurring
emission of bacteria that thrive without oxygen. Production of methane
occurs in three stages of digestion. The biogas produced in anaerobic
digester is burned to generate clean renewable energy.

Stages of digestion:
It refers to various reactions and interactions between
methanogens(methane producing bacteria), non-methanogens and
substrates fed into the digester as inputs. This is a complex physio-chemical
and biological process involving different factors in its simple form.
The break down of inputs that are complex organic material is achieved
through three stages as described below:

Stage 1:
Hydrolysis: The waste material consists of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins
and inorganic materialsin the presence of water. Large molecular complex
substances are solubilised into simpler ones with the help of excreta cellular
enzymes released by the bacteria. This stage is also known as polymer
breakdown stage. For example, the cellulose consisting of polymerised
glucose is broken down to dimeric,and then to monomeric sugar molecules
(glucose) by cellulolytic bacteria.

Stage 2:
Acidification: The monomer such as glucose which is produced in Stage
1 is fermented under anaerobic condition into various acids with the help
of enzymes produced by the acid forming bacteria. At this stage, the acid
forming bacteria break down molecules of six atoms of carbon (glucose)
into molecules of less atoms of carbon (acids) which are in a more reduced
state than glucose. The principal acids produced in this process are acetic
acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and ethanol.

31

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Stage 3:
Methanization :The principle acids produced in Stage 2 are produced
by methanogenic bacteria to produce methane. The reaction that takes
place in the process of methane production is called methanization and is
expressed by the following equations. (Karki and Dixit,1984).
CH3COOH
Acetic acid

CH4

Methane Carbon di oxide

2CH3CH2OH + CO2
Ethanol
CO2 + 4H2

+ CO2
CH4 + 2CH3COOH

carbon di oxide Methane Acetic acid


CH4 + 2H2O

Carbon di oxide + Hydrogen

Methane + Water

The above equations show that many products, by-products and


intermediate products are produced in the process of digestion of inputs
in an anaerobic condition before the final product (methane) is produced.
Obviously, there are many facilitating and inhibiting factors that play their
role in the process.
Definition of Anaerobic Digestion
It is the biological degradation of organic volatile solids in the absence
of oxygen Products of anaerobic digestion include water, undigested volatile
solids, inert materials and biogas.

Digestion rates of various organic materials that take time to


biodegrade are :
Cellulose breakdown

Weeks

Hemicellulose, fat and protein

Days

Sugars,fatty acids, alcohols

Hours

Waste to Wealth

32

Bio Gas plan fabrication for household purpose :


1m3 capacity using two syntex tanks and materials required for
fabrication.

BIO-GAS PLANT-MATERIALS LIST

S.No Product Description

Qty

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.

2 Nos
1No
1 No
1 No
2.00 Mtr
1.00 Mtr
1 No
1 No
1 No
1 No
1.00 Mtr
1No
1 No
2Nos
1No
2Nos
1No
2 Nos
1 No
2 Nos
2Nos
1 No
1 No
5 Feet
1No
1No
1No
1No
10 Nos
2 Nos
1No
10 Mtrs
2 Kg

3 PVC Thread coupler star


3 PVC IT coupler star
2 PVC Thread Coupler-star
2 PVC it coupler star
3 6KG PVC Pipes Trubore ISI
1 15KG PVC Pipes Trubore ISI
1 PVC Ball Valve Prince
4 PVC Redicer Star
3 PVC Tee Med Star
3 PVC End cap Hev Star
2 6 KG PVC pipes trubore ISI
1X1/2 PVC Th.coupler star
2 OVC Elbow med star
Ball valve brass IMP
Cp Tee
M-Seal 100 G
G.1.Elbow ISI-Heavy
G1 Nipple ISI -Heavy
Solution star 100 Ml
Tuflon tape 12 Mtr Khoh inoor

PVC Tank Nipple water Tech
1000 Ltrs water tank Sintex
750 Ltrs water tank Sintex
PVC Pipe
FTA
X1/2 FTA
1 tank nipple
MTA
Hose Clip
1/2X1/2 2601-1/2
1/2X3/4 H/Call
PVC 16 tube or Wire breaded hose
Media for immobolising bacteria.

33

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Sintex Tank Capacity:


S.No Sintex Tank Capacity Gas Holder
1. Fermenter 500 L 0.5m3
2. Fermenter 1000 L 1m3
3. Fermenter 2500 L 2.5m3

Gas

Burning Time

400L 250L 1 Hour


750 L 700 L 2 Hours
2000 L 1750 L 5 Hours

Decide the capacity of Fermenter and gas holder tanks required from
the above. Total costs depending on the size of sintax tanks.However,for
1m3 capacity of biogas plant costs Rs.27,000/-

DESIGN OF BIOGAS PLANT


1.2 Mechanism of biogas fermentation
A) Groups of Biogas microbes-

Waste to Wealth

34

Only the cow dung is charged into the biogas chamber. After 40th day
the gas evolution is checked. While initial checking care should be taken
to release the air locked in the chamber .
The smell will indicate the presence of the biogas. Further, a person need
to be stationed in the control valve when checking the gas by lightening. If
it is confirmed the connection with the gas stove could be given to facilitate
use of gas . It is advised to use biological material which is biodegradable
alone should be used. If by any chance plastic material is sent in to the
chamber it will clog the opening of the pipe the gas will be stopped. HENCE
AVOID PUTTING ANY NON- BIODEGRADABLE MATERIAL. Particularly egg
Shell should be avoided. Charge the material with toilet waste continuously
and the kitchen waste water and the solid wastes. Continuous production
of gas will be available for domestic use.
There is no sludge generated into the plant. There will not be smell in
the gas. The waste water will be produced which will be discharged through
the pipe lines provided for the purpose. It may contain colour can also be
removed by having sand filter . However, it can be directly used to irrigate
the plants. Biogas is non-hazardous, eco-friendly and much efficient than
the LPG .

35

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Bio Gas Plant 1m3 fabrication

PVC pipes of 60mm, 90mm size and other materials used for fabricating
biogas plant

Sintex tank of 1000 litre capacity.


Waste to Wealth

36

Tank being drilled to cut the top portion.

37

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Two pipes have been inserted ,one in bottom (To remove sludge) and
other in top to remove excess slurry.

The pipes are connected together to


provide inlet.
The 1.5m inlet pipe has a diameter of
90mm.

Waste to Wealth

38

The top outlet pipe indicates excess medium to out flow.


The figure shows fixing of pipe to remove sludge.

Fixing the 12.5mm dia pipe with required holes inside the gas holding
tank of 750 litre capacity.

39

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

The cow dung slurry is poured into the inlet pipe as the author watches
the process.

The cow dung slurry is the starting material added into the digester of
1000 litre capacity.
Waste to Wealth

40

The base for biogas plant

Lifting the digester tank 1000 litre capacity and to position on the base.

41

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

The digestor 1000 litre


capacity with inlet pipe
extending upto the height
of the digester

Positioning the biogas plant of 1000 litre capacity.

Waste to Wealth

42

The student watches the cowdung slurry made dust free and in proper
thickness being poured into the digester.

Media are put into the tank for immobikising bacteria.

43

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

The gas holder is lifted and positioned on top of the digester.

Note the gas tap on the top of the gas holder 750 litre capacity in an
inverterd position.
Waste to Wealth

44

The gas holder is now positioned into the digester which has been filled
with cowdung slurry.

The author with Dr. Sethu Kumaran, Chairman, Soka Ikeda College of
Arts and Science for women Madanakuppam at Chennai with staff.

45

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Dr. Akash Ouchi, Coordinator in South Asia and Middle East, Soka
Gakkai International, India inspecting the biogas plant

Er. A. Dhanalakshmi, Mechanical Engineering Department, Sri Sairam


Engineering College collects the biogas for analysis. Er. A. Sujaatha (Civil
Engineering Department) and Mrs. S. Usha (Chemistry) observe the process.
Waste to Wealth

46

Er. V. Subramanian,
Executive Engineer,
STP, Perungudi,
Chennai Metropolitan
water supply and
Sewerage Board,
with the author at the
biogas plant site.

(L-R) Mr.Karthick, Mr.Arunachalam GM, Malar Paper mills Pvt. Ltd.


Mr. S. Radhakrishnan GM, Sugar mills, E.I.D. - Parry (India) Ltd.
Mr.Balu, Director, Malar paper mills, with the author.

47

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

The biogas is used as a fuel in the Kitchen, Er. H. Srinivasan,


Vice - Chairman, Mr. M. Srinivasan Director, Dr.K.Mohamed Ghouse,
Principal, Sri Venkateswaraa College of Technology, Vadakal village,
Sriperumbudur with the author and students.

Waste to Wealth

48

49

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

BIOGAS PLANT - CIVIL CONSTRUCTION

T40m3 capacity Sairam bio gas


plant. construction initiated.

4 metre depth of the base bio gas


plant.

(L-R) The Author, Prof. V.R. Rajamanickam, Dr. A. Rajendra Prasad


Sri Sairam Engineering college at the site.
Waste to Wealth

50

The Stones are plastered with


cement.

Base is lined with stones

A view of the construction of the digester of bio gas plant.


The double wall construction is provided to protect the plant.

51

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

The plant is constructed with brick lining.

The opening indicates to discharge


waste water in to the collection tank.
Waste to Wealth

52

The doom construction is


completed to accommodate
bio gas

The rectangulare tank is constructed


to collect the waste water and to be
discharge to garden

Completion of construction of
bio gas plant.

waste water collection with RCC roofing.

53

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

A view of the bio gas plant with pipe line and control valve.

The Hostel staff with the author enjoying the bio gas flame from the bio
gas reactor in the kitchen.
Waste to Wealth

54

BIO GAS PLANT OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE


DOS AND DONTS
Dos:
-

Cover the top of the inlet and outlet opening, especially of the
Chinese type plants, firmly to avoid accidental falling of calves,
children, etc.

Mix recommended quantity of dung free from earth and gravel


with water in 4:5 proportion and feed the mixtures daily into the
inlet chamber. Specific gravity of the slurry should be 1.045-1.90.

Mix dung and water till there are no lamps which may otherwise
cause reduced gas production.

Purge air from all delivery lines by allowing gas to flow for an interval
prior to first use.

Stir the slurry several times a day to enhance gas production.

Use good - quality and efficient burner and other gas appliances.

Clean the burner fortnightly.

Light the match first before opening the gas cork.

Remove the condensed water from the pipeline periodically.

Remove floating solid material found it any between the digester


wall and the gas holder.

Install a safety pressure gauge in the kitchen near the window.

Repair the plant in case of major gas leakages being observed.

Paint gas holder annually preferably with black enamel paint.

Use the digested slurry as such for manuring of crops or for


hastening the process of composting.

Keep patience for production of gas during initial filling of the plant
with slurry.

55

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Donts:
-

While mixing the slurry do not put:

Any earth in the mixing-pit of the gobar. It will fill up the bottom
of the digester pit and cause problems.

Any straw or grass, etc., in the mixing pit. If any does get in remove
it before letting the slurry into the digester pit.

Do not let any oil, soap or detergent into the plant as these
substances kill the bacteria and stop all gas production.

Do not put any animal bedding (sawdust used in chicken houses)


in the gas plant.

Never pour acid in the digester as this will increase production of


hydrogen sulphide (H2S).

Never allow any person to enter the gas plant when it is full of dung
slurry.

Never inhale the gobar gas to avoid any health hazard.

Never use more than 40% urine to avoid increase ammonia which
will give less gas and poorer quality and in course of time may stop
gas production.

No smoking, no candles, no fires, no matches, no lamps or other


open inflame to be used in case of small of unburnt gas.

Waste to Wealth

56

TACKLING PROBLEMS OF BIOGAS PLANT:


S.NO

PROBLEM
BURSTING
OF THE
DIGESTER WITH
EXCESSIVE GAS
PRESSURE.

CORROSION
OF THE GAS
HOLDER

CAUSE

SOLUTION

a) Gas holder at
the top become
jammed in the
digester due to
drying of the
scum in between
the gas holder
and digester
and restricting
movement of the
holder.
b) Guide frame
gets loosened from
its support and
the holder cannot
move freely.

a) Scum should not


be allowed to dry
and should be forced
down with a rod twice
or thrice a week.
Guide pipe should
be rewelded and
riveted and guide
frame, etc..., should
be checked before
installing it in the
digester.

methane and
Gas holders,
commonly made
of mild steel,
remain in contact
with digester
slurry and with
the gas containing
other gases,
including H2S
Which is highly
corrosive

Painting of the
gas holder with
black paint or even
coal tar each year.
Alternative materials
like PVC, Ferro
cement, galvanized
iron, fiberglass, etc.
may be used to
manufacture the
holder

57

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

CLOGGING OF
THE INLET/
OUTLET PIPES.

Accumulation of
feed or scum.

BREAKDOWN
OF CENTRAL
GUIDE-PIPE.

Rusting

REDUCTION IN
PRODUCTION
OF GAS IN
WINTER
(REDUCTION IN
PRODUCTION
BY 50%
SUMMER).

Waste to Wealth

Methanogenic
bacteria are
mesophillic
and reduction
in temperature
adversely affects
gas production.
The fall in gas
production starts
when temperature
falls below 20c.

58

Pipes should be
washed or flushed
regularly with clean
water or should be
cleaned with a pole
moving up and down.

Replacement (as it is
mostly beyond repair)

a) Insulation: The
whole plant including
the gas holder may be
insulated with material
such as straw.
b) Glass house effect:
A plastic airtight tent
may be built over the
gas plant. Care must
be taken to avoid on
explosion in case any
gas gets collected in
the tent.
c)Enzymes, too, have
been found to increase
gas production but the
method is extremely
expensive.
d)Water hyacinth
added to cattle
dung enhances gas
production. Water

containing algae
when added gives a
significant increase
in gas production,
especially in plants
using pig manure.

SHOW RATE
OF GAS
PRODUCTION
OR NO GAS
PRODUCTION.

NO GAS AT
STOVE.

a) increase in
toxicity with
retention time.
b) Increase in solid
content.
c) pH too acidic or
too alkaline.
d) Low
temperature.
e) Digester filled
with exhausted
dung heaps.
f) Digester filled
up with raw dung
followed by water
to make the slurry.

a) Dilution or low
loading makes
ammonia toxicity less
critical.
b) Stirring, dilution or
low loading reduces
viscosity.
c) Do not change the
slurry mixture of a
working digester.
d) Do not use
exhausted dung
heaps.
Make the slurry as
recommended.

a) Main gas valve


closed.
b) Condensate
completely
blocking main gas
pipe.
c) Gas jet in stove
blocked

a) Valve should be
opened.
b) Condensate should
be removed.

59

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Chapter - 3

Waste Water Management

Wastewater reuse and recycle- Demand, concepts and


Principles

Wastewater generation ranges from 15,000 to 18,000 litres/day


0.3 to 0.4 metric tonne /day. As per the survey conducted in few
houses the waste water generated from the toilet- 3 litres,Kitchen5-10 litres, Washing 20-30 litres,and animals- 10-15 litres.

The Conventional constituents are the total suspended


solids,colloidal solids,biochemical oxygen demand,total organic
carbon,ammonia,nitrate,nitrite,total nitrogen,phosphorus and
microorganisms like bacteria,protozoan cysts and oocysts and
viruses.

The non Conventional constituents t have to be removed or reduced


by advanced treatment techniques emerging, Pose health hazards
when reused emerging prescription and nonprescription drugs
home care products veterinary and human antibiotics industrial and
household products sex and steroidal hormones other endocrine
disrupters pathogen microorganism. One of most critical issues
for wastewater reuse is to protect the public from infectious
diseases that may be in reclaimed wastewater. Microorganisms
causing diseases can be classified into three groups: (1) bacteria,
(2) parasite (protozoa and helminthes) and (3) viruses.

Waste to Wealth

60

Advantages
This technology reduces the demands on potable sources of
freshwater.
It may reduce the need for large wastewater treatment systems,
if significant portions of the waste stream are reused or recycled.

The technology may diminish the volume of wastewater discharged,


resulting in a beneficial impact on the aquatic environment.

Capital costs are low to medium, for most systems, and are
recoverable in a very short time; this excludes systems designed
for direct reuse of sewage water.
Operation and maintenance are relatively simple except in direct
reuse systems, where more extensive technology and quality
control are required.
Provision of nutrient-rich wastewaters can increase agricultural
production in water-poor areas.
Pollution of seawater, rivers, and groundwaters may be reduced.
Lawn maintenance and golf course irrigation is facilitated in resort
areas.
In most cases, the quality of the wastewater, as an irrigation water
supply, is superior to that of well water.
Disadvantages
If implemented on a large scale, revenues to water supply and
wastewater utilities may fall as the demand for potable water for
non-potable uses and the discharge of wastewaters is reduced.
Reuse of wastewater may be seasonal in nature, resulting in the
overloading of treatment and disposal facilities during the rainy
season; if the wet season is of long duration and/or high intensity,
the seasonal discharge of raw wastewaters may occur.

61

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Health problems, such as water-borne diseases and skin irritations,


may occur in people coming into direct contact with reused
wastewater.

Gases, such as sulfuric acid, produced during the treatment process


can result in chronic health problems.

In some cases, reuse of wastewater is not economically feasible


because of the requirement for an additional distribution
system.
Application of untreated wastewater as irrigation water or as injected
recharge water may result in groundwater contamination.

Introduction
I. HOUSEHOLD WASTE WATER TREATMENT :
What is grey water
Greywater is the term given to all used water discharged from a house,
except from toilet water (Black water ). Grey water includes shower, bath,
wash basin, kitchen sink, dishwasher, washing machine and laundry tub
water. This water is called grey water because it turns grey if stored for a
while. It also becomes quite smelly if stored for a day or so.
Grey water is sometimes called sullage. Toilet water is generally called
blackwater or sewage. In most literature, both are grouped together as
wastewater. This convenient label is misleading because grey water is very
different from blackwater, and neither should be wasted water. Both can
be re-used for garden irrigation, but require different methods and levels
of handling because of their fundamental differences.
Grey water is far easier, safer and cheaper to re-use than black water,
Houses with composting toilets have no black water, and should be
encouraged.

Waste to Wealth

62

Greywater contains what is washed down the drain, and so varies


from house to house. For most houses it is soap, shampoo, toothpaste,
shaving cream, food scraps, cooking oils, dishwashing detergents, laundry
detergents, hair and lint. Normal use of these products appears to do no
harm to garden soils and plants if greywater is used for garden irrigation.
The most significant general pollutant of greywater is powdered
laundry detergents. These are often high in salts (check for ingredients with
sodium), many still contain phosphorus (which is known to contribute
to algal blooms), and are often very alkaline. Continual garden re-use of
laundry water containing high salt, phosphorus-containing detergents can
lead to salt accumulations in re-use areas, and stunting of plants with low
phosphorus tolerance. Regions with regular rainfall may not suffer salt
build-ups due to leaching of salts from soil after rain. There are several
alternatives to using powdered laundry detergents. which include liquid
detergents pure soap flakes High strength cleaners should be avoided in
the home, as these are often toxic to both people and the environment. If
caustic cleaners are washed down the drain, these are likely to kill beneficial
treatment bacteria in septic tanks, sewage treatment plants or soils if
greywater is re-used for on-site garden irrigation.
Many green cleaners are effective alternatives to high strength
cleaners. An environmentally friendly option to using bleach is to use
hydrogen peroxide, which breaks down quickly to hydrogen and water
in the environment. Products containing boron should be avoided as this
is toxic to plants even in small quantity. Nutrient levels in greywater are
generally low (except where phosphorus-bearing laundry detergents are
used) and are easily utilised by vegetation in the garden.

Greywater and Blackwater: Key differences


Greywater contains far less nitrogen than blackwater Nine-tenths of the
nitrogen contained in combined wastewater derived from toilet wastes (i.e.,
from the blackwater). Nitrogen is one of the most serious and difficult-toremove pollutants affecting our potential drinking water supply.Greywater
contains far fewer pathogens than blackwater

63

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Medical and public health professionals view faeces as the most


significant source of human pathogens. Keeping toilet wastes out of the
wastewater stream dramatically reduces the danger of spreading such
organisms via water.Greywater decomposes much faster than blackwater
The implication of the more rapid decomposition of grey water
pollutants is the quicker stabilization and therefore enhanced prevention
of water pollution

What Can Greywater Be Used For?


With proper treatment greywater can be put to good use. These uses
include water for laundry and toilet flushing, and also irrigation of plants.
Treated greywater can be used to irrigate both edible and non-edible plants.
The nutrients in the greywater (such as phosphorus and nitrogen) provide
an excellent nutrient source for these plants.

Composition of grey water


Source: Tooth paste, shampoo, moisturizer, shaving gel, detergents,
soaps, hair spray, after shave, lotion, cologne, moisturizer, etc.
Sodium bicarbonate, sodium monofluorophosphate, calcium
phosphate, saccharin, washing soda, glycerin, peppermint extract (tooth
paste). Cocamide DEA (shampoo, moisturizer), propylene glycol (shaving
gel), sodium lauryl sulphate/fluoride (shampoo), benzaldehyde (shampoo,
detergent, shaving cream, bar soap), benzyl acetate (hairspray, after shave),
benzyl alcohol, camphor, ethanol, ethyl acetate, limonene, alpha pinene,
g-terpinene, terpineol (shaving cream, lotion, skin moisturizer, cologne,
detergents, etc.), acetone, methylene chloride, -citronellol, -myrcene,
-phenyethyl alcohol, p-dichlorobenzene.

What are The Benefits of Greywater Re-use?



Re-using water does not diminish our quality of life, however it


can provide benefits on many levels.

Waste to Wealth

64

Two major Benefits of greywater use are:


Reducing the need for fresh water. Saving on fresh water use can
significantly reduce household water bills, but also has a broader
community benefit in reducing demands on public water supply.
Reducing the amount of wastewater entering sewers or
on-site treatment systems. Again, this can benefit the individual
household, but also the broader community

Treatment Technology

Natural method of waste water treatment process

65

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Waste to Wealth

66

67

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Waste to Wealth

68

Grey water is collected and after settlement and lime treatment over
flows in the subsequent tanks.Dr. Mrs. Ranjithakani, Advisor, Soka Ikeda
College of Arts & Science for women observes the methodology of
treatment process.

Treated greywater is used to cultivate plants in kitchen garden.

69

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

S.No

Characteristics

Unit (mg/l)

1.
2.
3
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.

Apperence
Colour
Odour
Turbidity
Total dissolved solids
pH
Alkalinity as CaCO3
Total Hardness as CaCO3
Calcium as Ca
Magnesium as Mg
Iron as Fe
Manganese as Mn
Nitrate as NO3
Chloride as Cl
Fluoride as F
Sulphate as SO4
Aluminium as Al
Arsenic as As
Chromium as Cr
Mercury as Hg
Cadmium as Cd
Selenium as Se
Lead as Pb
Copper as Cu
Zinc as Zn
Boron as B
Cyanide as CN
G+r;rpf; nfhy;ypfs;
Microorganisms in Number
Residual Chlorine Cl2 as Cl

Clear
25
No smell
10
2000
6.5 -8.5
600
600
200
100
1.0
0.3
100
1000
1.5
400
0.2
0.05
0.05
0.001
0.01
0.01
0.05
1.5
15
5
0.05
0.001
Nil
0.2

Waste to Wealth

70

Chapter - 4

Grey water Treatment by


Root Zone Bed Technology

Root Zone Beds (Constructed wetlands) are now emerging as a low


cost, eco-friendly alternative to conventional treatment systems for tertiary
treatment of wastewater. Several studies support the use of wetlands
for treating a variety of wastewaters like effluent from paper mill, food
processing plant, municipal wastewater, tannery effluent, distillery effluent
and domestic wastewater. The results of these studies reveal the potential
of the application of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment.
Root zone bed is a constructed wetland of relatively shallow depth
0.30 - 0.60m that supports the growth of emergent plants such
as cattails (Typha sp) reeds and sedges. The vegetation provides
surfaces for attachment of bacterial films, aids in filtration and
adsorption of wastewater constituents, transfer oxygen from
atmosphere into the water and controls the growth of algae by
restricting the penetration of sunlight.

71

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Wetlands are of two types, natural and constructed, and both


types are used in the treatment of wastewater. In the sub surface
flow system, the waster water level is maintained below the top
of the soil matrix. The depth of the soil matrix is usually 0.3 m to
0.60m and the soil is made impervious at the bottom to prevent
seepage

ROOT ZONE BED


RZT is a natural maintenance free system where wastewater is purified
by roots of certain plants like reeds Phragmites australis. It functions
according to the laws of nature, to effective purify the domestic waste water.
The root zone encompasses the life interactions of various species of
bacteria, the roots of reed plant Phragmites australis, soil ,air, solar energy
and water itself. The reed plant conduct oxygen through their stem into
root system, optimal condition for the growth of bacteria are ensured, in
turn and the bacteria biodegrade the dissolved organic matter by aerobic
decomposition. Since the process takes place below the soil, aerobic and
anaerobic conditions exist changes including the changes in the physico
chemical factors in the soil and water inter phase and then balances the
growth of bacteria.
A special type to bed is formed for the root zone. However, for
developing system special type of clay such as bentonite is used which
formed an impregnable barrier between root zone and the surrounding
ground water.
Compared to free water surface systems, a horizontal subsurface
flow wetland provides greater efficiency in terms of BOD and TSS
and decreased risk of nuisance from odour and flies.

Root Zone techniques almost require no maintenances

Waste to Wealth

72

Kitchen waste water is organic and therefore biodegradable and


serves as good nutrient resource and has good bacterial load having
fruity smell. Bath room water has inorganic chemicals (details
given separately) and when it is released kills all good bacteria
and produces odour. Hence need to be separated and treated for
reuse.

Sign board at Krishna Hostel

73

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Grey water discharge by pipeline to Sedimentation tank

Collection of grey water in tanks. Lime treatment, Sedimentation,


overflowing water tank serve as collection tank.
Waste to Wealth

74

The entry of grey water by gravity flow into tanks. The entire area is
protected by iron mesh thus preventing entry by animals.

Construction of bed for treatment of grey water by Root zone bed .

75

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

View of the Root zone bed

Reed plants Phragmites australis.

Waste to Wealth

76

Root zone Treatment. Reed plants and the treated water collection tanks
at each reed bed.

Thiru.T.S. Srinivasamurthy, IFS Dr. P. Nammalwar Rajan,


Prof. M.S.Ananth, (then) Director IIT(M), with the author in the
background.

77

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Prof.R.Damodharan, (IIT-M) with the author and guest at the grey water
treatment site.

Prof.Dr. A.Rajendra Prasad, Dean with Thiru. Sai Prakash Leo Muthu,
CEO Sri Sairam Group of Institutions at Root zone
Treatment site at IIT - M
Waste to Wealth

78

MERITS OF THE ROOT ZONE METHOD


1. There is no algal growth.
2. The organic material is broken down in the sewage waste water
and hence, it satisfies norms of the pollution control board.
3. There is no energy cost in the treatment process.
4. It is safe cost effective and time consuming.
5. Least maintenance cost yet simple in operation.
6. Only special kind of reed will perform the treatment process.
7. The area requirement varies depending upon the volume of waste
water.
8. More retention time is required for nutrient and pathogenic
organisms removal.
9. Primary treatment helps for quick absorption and fermentation of
effluent into the constructed root zone system.


Comparison between conventional treatment and root
zone method of treatment.
While conventional system the civil construction, mechanics & supplies,
chemicals sample analysis on the maintenance cost and overall power cost
are high when compared to the root zone treatment method.
The cost benefit analysis indicates that there will be saving for a flow
of sewage when root zone system is installed.

79

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Chapter - 5

Human Urine treatment


As repelling as it may sound, human urine is a valuable resource. The
objective of human urine treatment is to utilize the human urine that
goes as a waste in the drainage. This contains more nutrients in the form
of struvite which is considered as slow releasing fertilizer. 1 liter of human
urine consists of 4.6 gms of Nitrogen, 0.6 gms of Phosphorous (P2O3), 2.2
gms of Potash (K2O). Therefore, the total population of 135 Crore human
beings expel as urine about 6200 tons of Nitrogen, 800 tons of Phosphorous
(P203) and 2917 tons of Potash. If rightly utilized, more than 500 Crores
worth of fertilizer can be recovered.
It is totally possible to use human urine as a fertilizer instead of
industrial fertilizer, says Heinonen-Tanski, whose research group has also
used urine to cultivate cucumbers, cabbage and tomatoes. Recycling urine
as fertilizer could not only make agriculture and wastewater treatment
more sustainable in industrialized countries, the researchers say, but also
boost food production and improve sanitation.
About 94% of the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in toilet waste
water emanates from the urine together with abundant micronutrients
in balanced concentration. During 24 hour period 1 to 2 lt. of volume of
urine is formed. It is estimated that human urine consists of about 54
metabolites ranging from few micro gram to 1200 mg. The amino acid
total 500 to 1000 mg is excreted. 20 amino acids have been found out in
the human urine. Apart from that enzyme vitamins and hormones are also
excreted in the urine. Salts such as calcium chloride and sodium, sulphates,
urea, uric acid are also excreted. The pH of the normal urine is 5.0 to 8.0.
The normal urine colour is pale to deep amber. It is transparent with no
sediment and odour characteristic and faintly aromatic odour. The specific
gravity is 1.008 to 1.030.
Waste to Wealth

80

In normal urine, the following metabolites such as Albumine, Sugar,


Ketone bodies, Bile pigments, Bile salt, Urobilinogen, pus cells, RBCs, Casts
and micro organisms are absent. Some times crystal may or may not be
present.
The present work aims for eco-cycling of nutrients from waste water
based on urine separation, in order to maximize the recovery and recycling
of nutrients and to reduce eutrophication (enrichment of nutrients) in
fresh water and costal ecosystem. Hence, capturing the nutrients in human
urine by transformation as solid mineral form as urine powder. Direct use
of human urine as agricultural fertilizer is problematic and controvertial
with regard to hygiene, storage,transport and spreading.

Advantages:
1. Urine separation system has many advantages related to
emission of odour and nutrient recovery.
2. Energy (energy efficiency) analyses of sewage treatment
system show that phosphorous and nitrogen recycling efficiency is
highest if urine separation is used.
3. Urine separation system also show that the storage, transport
and spreading large amounts of urine prevents serious obstacles to
system efficiency.
4. Large volumes of urine are needed to fertilize farmland, leading
to transportation costs.
5. Another problem of urine separation system is the loss of
nitrogen by ammonia evaporation during storage and spreading.

What is the remedy?


1. Urine separation could be met by transforming the nutrients
in the urine into solid minerals.
2. Handling and storage could be improved

81

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

3. Volume could be reduced.


4. Loss of nitrogen into atmosphere would be eliminated.
5. High level of hygiene could be maintained.

What is the product?


Struvite precipitation methodology can be applied to remove phosphate.
In fresh urine ammonium (NH4+) is formed from the decomposition of urea.
This offers possibility of nitrogen recovery by ammonium uptake to specific
adsorbents such as zeolites.
Nutrient recovery from human urine is simple effective easy manageable
and economically viable eco-technology. The recovery of nutrient from
separate urine could play role in rural sanitary system and largely in urban
area in future.
The nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium required for agriculture is
largely provided by artificial fertilizer. Urine based fertilizer could be used as
substitute. The earlier study show that urine based products are as effective
as artificial fertilizer. However, the urine based fertilizer contains micro
pollutants which are undesirable. These substances will be removed from
the urine by certain treatment process. Separate treatment of urine would
be beneficial for water pollution control since it reduces the ecotoxicological
hazard potential cost by pharmaceutical in wastewater by estimated 50%.
Energy saving cloud be realized in fertilizer production with energy efficient
processing of nitrogen and phosphorus for the agriculture sector. In view
of the deteriorating quality of artificial phosphate fertilizer remaining
mineral resources of phosphorus have high heavy metal content it would
be worth while to recycle relatively pure phosphorus from urine. The local
authorities could make considerable savings if urine is separately collected
and treated and used as fertilizer.

Waste to Wealth

82

Fabrication of urine treatment reactor with dimensions.

83

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

The views of the reactor.


Waste to Wealth

84

200 litre capacity of


reactor with stirrer and
filter bag. Manually
operated system.

85

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Human urine treatment facility

Human urine collection in Sintex tank through yellow coloured pipeline

(L-R) Mr.M. Subburaman, (Director - SCOPE) The author,


Guests and students.
Waste to Wealth

86

Demo by the author.


Human Urine untreated and treated (L-R)

Human urine treatment plant


Mr.V.Ganapathi, The Hindu Representative guest from The Netherlands,
the author and Mr. M. Subburaman, (L-R)

87

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Human urine Treatment plant


the author with Mr.Mahajan.
The capacity of the plant is
100 litres, a conical structure
with filter bag to collect the
precipate as urine powder
and waste water is collected
in the collection tank used for
irrigation.

Human urine powder- a fertilizer known as Struvite

Waste to Wealth

88

Human urine powder is used as fertilizer to the field.

Mr.Bastin(UN Habitat), the author (L-R) Mr.Mahajan and his family


members.

89

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

CONCLUSION
It proved possible to capture the majority of nutrients contained
in urine in the form of solid minerals. By adding small amounts of
Magnesium Oxide(MgO), struvite was obtained and identified as
a main component in the precipitated crystalline mixture
Natural zeolites, showed excellent ammonium adsorbent qualities
in contact with human urine.
The human urine treatment facility is simple, effective, easily
manageable and economically viable
Eco-technology is much in demand all over the world.
Recovery of nutrients from separated urine reported here could
play a role in the rural as well urban sanitary systems of the future,
which will almost certainly be much more diverse than it is today,
with many different technologies at different places.
In combination with struvite crystallization, most of the phosphorous
and potassium and 65-80% of the nitrogen could be recovered.
The mixture of struvite and natural mineral adsorbent has good
nutrient qualities and can be used as soil conditioner.
Human urine after treatment could be used by hydroponic system
to cultivate plants using golden bamboo Bambusa bambusoidis
where the intersepta are absent

Waste to Wealth

90

Chapter - 6

MoSQUITO CONTROL AND WATER


TREATMENT USING ecObioBALLS

The eco bio-ball is used dependent upon the volume of water. Three
bio balls per square meter is recommended.
The effective microorganisms and fungi start reacting as soon as the
eco bio-ball is reached at the bottom of the water body. The clay gets
dissolved. The chemical present in the eco bio-ball zeolite is a dissolved
and reduces the turbidity of the bottom water. The microbes present in the
ecobio-ball degrades the dissolved organic material present in the form
of slime and sludge. The solar radiation penetrates the polluted water.
The micro algae and other microscopic animals such as zooplanktons
emerge because of the dissolved nutrients. Thus polluted water is treated
biologically into good water.
One could also use hay filled jute material in the form of bag. The
hay is immersed in the polluted water which will in turn produce micro
organisms. These will consume the organic wastes and convert into clean
water resource.
The advantages could be benefitted by this simple technology even
can be applied to water stagnant bodies

91

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

Total dissolved organic materials are reduced and dissolved oxygen


content increases. It also eliminates odour and increases transparency of
water column and by allowing solar radiation to penetrate till the bottom.
Such treatment will hold to rear Gambusa fishes in order to consume
mosquito larvae as live feed.

WHAT IS A NANOBIOBALL?
The Nanobioballs are designed with the clay materials, zeolite, bacteria
and silver nanoparticles.
The clay helps the nanobioballs to sink and dissolves in the pond.
Zeolite dissolves in bottom water column and helps to reduce the
turbidity of water and make the water transparent helps in penetration
of solar radiation
Bacteria help in the fermentation of the organic material present in the
pond thus preventing foul odour.
The silver nanoparticles acts on the bacteria present in the pond water
and controls their multiplication.
Biological Synthesis of

Silver nanoparticles

MATERIALS REQUIRED
Silver nitrate (AgNO3)
Pencillium chrysogenum
Azadiracta indica (neem)
Potato dextrose agar
Millipore distilled water
Whatman filter paper

Waste to Wealth

92

Eco bio balls prepared for pilot project.

Picture showing a single eco bioball with fungi formation

93

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

CHANGE IN COLOUR

Picture of conical flasks containing the filtrate of the Pencillium


chrysogenum biomass in aqueous solution of 10-3 M AgNO3 at the
beginning of the reaction (flask 1) and after 2 days of reaction (flask 2).

Introduction of Ecobioballs into


cooum water samples
indicating reduction in turbidity

Waste to Wealth

94

CULTURES OF COOUM SAMPLES

WITHOUT ECOBIOBALL

( More Organic Matter Untreated)

WITH ECOBIOBALL
( Less Organic Matter Treated)

OBSERVATION
It was observed that after introduction of nanobioball in to the cooum
river sample there is reduction in the number of bacterial colonies.
And an single even colony of bacteria was observed.
Thus using these nanobioballs control on the multiplication of undesired
bacteria was clearly observed. Water samples were further tested for other
parameters.

CONCLUSION
Due to the reduction in the foul odour the mosquito getting attracted
to pond was controlled.
This has been observed in lily ponds of TAJ CONNEMARA Chennai
which faced a serious mosquito menace before
Total organic matter reduction was observed which discouraged the
mosquito to lay the eggs.

95

Dr. A.Abdul Rahman

The substratum of the lily pond was treated with Ecobioballs showing
improvement in water quality.

Waste to Wealth

96

You might also like