Pit emptying devices for emergency situations

latrine emptying in emergency situations

Background

Gap Analysis in Emergency Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion (HIF 2013)1. Latrines in locations where no pits are

possible (urban, high watertable/flooding)2. Latrine emptying and desludging3. Final sewage disposal options after

desludging and treatment4. Urban alternatives for excreta disposal

The development of latrine emptying kit (equipment) to be used by humanitarian organisations in emergency settings or how to empty latrines if desludge trucks are not available

Objective of the project:

MALAWI TRIALS FOR PIT EMPTYING/DISLUDGING

•800 liter sludge tank •200 liter

clean water tank•Gasoline

engine 6,6 kW / 9hp Honda•Vacuum

pump 2.500l/min High pressure Installation, set on 60 bar•30 meter

3”hose for increased access

ROM2•500 liter

sludge tank •No clean

water tank•6 kW diesel

engine, 3-6 km/hr

•Vacuum pump 2.200l/min.

•30 meter 3”hose for increased access

Vacutug

• Atalanta Pelican 351 Diaphragm sludge pump with

• Lombardini 15LD225 diesel engine

• Solids handling up to 40 mm

• Dry run without damage

• Self priming to 7.5m

• Mounted on two-wheel trolley

Diaphragm

• 13 m3 volume• PVC from

SIOEN• 2 entries

DN80• 2 outlets

DN80• Air valve type

Schnorkel• Active carbon

filter

Bladder

• Flow rate (l/h) 200/850

• Operating pressure (bar ) 10- 210

• Weight (kg) 60

• Mounted on troley

• Several special nozzels

Fluidiser

Findings

• Rubbish blocks the suction and also discharge of the Pumps.

• Every single pit latrine required fishing out rubbish

• On average pits have between 50 – 150 lts rubbish

• Septic tanks rarely require fishing• All machines can be operated without

significant spillage

Findings

• Emptying thick sludge without fluidising is not possible.

• Traditional fluidising is pouring a lot of water in the pit and manual stirring

• With high pressure fluidiser less water needed (add 15% of sludge)

• Unlined pits can be emptied.

Fluidising

Findings• ROM works well with difficult sludge.

(fluidiser included!) Small modification will be needed eg opening

to clean sludge reservoir

• Diaphragm sludge pump works well for septic tanks without rubbish. Is able to pump large volumes in short time frame.

Less able to pump thick sludge or sludge that contains rubbish

• Vacutug similar to the ROM but no fluidiser included, might be able to operate well in high density areas

We experienced many several small breakdowns

Way forward

• Recommendations to suppliers; ROM, Vacutug, Sioen

• Build up experience and standardise fluidiser with recomendations on nozzles

• More field tests in different settings (different sludge)

• Share experiences with the sector