Isabelle Czekajewski - Sanisphere's Dry Toilets Developed for Mountain Areas
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Sanisphere developed dry toilets for mountain areas in 1991, with Pierre Colombot founding the company. From 1991-2002 they had technical and financial difficulties but stabilized. They conducted extensive research on vermicomposting human waste from 2000-2014, proving it works up to 2600m altitude with different speeds. Sanisphere now has various dry toilet models priced $24,700-$88,000 depending on usage and location. They have over 550 installations in France and elsewhere, helping provide sanitation in remote mountain areas.
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Isabelle Czekajewski - Sanisphere's Dry Toilets Developed for Mountain Areas
- 1. Sanisphere’s drytoilets developed for mountain areas 14-07-23 Sustainable Summits Conference I.Czekajewski
- 2. 1991: Creation of Sanisphere by Pierre Colombot 1991-2002 Difficult years -Technical problem 1995 Conveyor Belt 2001 Vermicomposting process (US Patent N°10/109.839) -Selling problem Financial difficulties 2002 Drastic price raise 2005-2014 Wealthier years Making up in 2014: 12 employees, M€ 1.5 (M$ 2) turnover in 2013, 550 installations in France, few in Europe, 1 in North America 14-07-23 Sustainable Summits Conference I.Czekajewski History of Sanisphere
- 3. 14-07-23 Sustainable Summits Conference I.Czekajewski Design of Sanisphere’s building Technical area Cabin Leaned conveyor belt Natural airflow Vermicomposting process Flies trap
- 4. Leaned conveyor belt Gravitary separation of urine from liquid-solid mix Moved by simple mechanical activation 14-07-23 Sustainable Summits Conference I.Czekajewski Mechanical brick Slow scraper chain Avoid the accumulation of solid wastes just under the conveyor belt Facilitate vermicomposting process Self cleaning urine tray Remove eventual solid waste fallen into the urine tray Avoid pipe clogging
- 5. 14-07-23 Sustainable Summits Conference I.Czekajewski Biological brick Vermicomposting Process: 10 to 15 years of research 1st long-term experimental study of vermicomposting of human feces Objectives - - Stabilization of the compost - Efficiency of hygienization Implementation – 5 sets of tests - 3 crates divided in 3 with different tests: feces + worms, feces alone, nothing, feces+worms +straw , feces +straw Results- Qualitative Quantitative Highly reduced volume Black and odorless compost Lot of living worms Straw useful to keep wetness Lower BOD5 (divided by 12 to 64) Higher Rate of ashes Enteroccocus: 10^6 100 CFU/g Coliforms: 10^7 < 50 CFU/g 2000-2004 Pyrenees National Park, France, 2000 m (6500’)
- 6. 14-07-23 Sustainable Summits Conference I.Czekajewski Biological brick Vermicomposting Process: 10 to 15 years of research 1st long-term experimental study of vermicomposting of human feces Objectives - - Stabilization of the compost - Efficiency of hygienization Implementation – 5 sets of tests - 3 crates divided in 3 with different tests: feces + worms, feces alone, nothing, feces+worms +straw , feces +straw Results- Qualitative Quantitative Highly reduced volume Black and odorless compost Lot of living worms Straw useful to keep wetness Lower BOD5 (divided by 12 to 64) Higher Rate of ashes Enteroccocus: 10^6 100 CFU/g Coliforms: 10^7 < 50 CFU/g 2000-2004 Pyrenees National Park, France, 2000 m (6500’)
- 7. 14-07-23 Sustainable Summits Conference I.Czekajewski Objectives – Determining vermicomposting limit in altitude Implementation – - 6 altitudes: 1600 2600 m (5250’ to 8500’), 2 worms origins (from plains and mountain areas) - 4 Huts tests (altitudes: 1800, 2431, 2537, 2626 m) Results- - Vermicomposting works till 2600 m high but with different speed reaction (4 to 8 times longer at 2500 m high compare to plains area) - Altitude 2500 to 3000 m: to be tested - Suggested improvement: Insulation Heat supply Biological brick 2008-2011 High altitude vermicomposting process, French Alps
- 8. 14-07-23 Sustainable Summits Conference I.Czekajewski Objectives – Determining vermicomposting limit in altitude Implementation – - 6 altitudes: 1600 2600 m (5250’ to 8500’), 2 worms origins (from plains and mountain areas) - 4 Huts tests (altitudes: 1800, 2431, 2537, 2626 m) Results- - Vermicomposting works till 2600 m high but with different speed reaction (4 to 8 times longer at 2500 m high compare to plains area) - Altitude 2500 to 3000 m: to be tested - Suggested improvement: Insulation Heat supply Biological brick 2008-2011 High altitude vermicomposting process, French Alps
- 9. 14-07-23 Sustainable Summits Conference I.Czekajewski Biological brick Urine treatment: struvite recovery Flies trap Testing other organisms for composting purpose Zonites algirus Woodlouse -Struvite is a naturally occurring crystal of magnesium, ammonium and phosphate NH4MgPO4·6(H2O), 3 elements contained in urine. - R&D: very simple system for struvite precipitation Goals: Avoid pipes clogging Possibility of agricultural utilizations (fertilizer)
- 10. 14-07-23 Sustainable Summits Conference I.Czekajewski Natural airflow brick Before: Photovoltaic panels for electricity supply (fans) Several problems : - Theft even in remote sites - Vandalism - No substitution of old batteries To Natural airflow : air movement from the cabin to the technical area only Principle: the air must be warmed to go up and to get out of the building through the chimney creating higher pressure into the cabin than in the technical area
- 11. 14-07-23 Sustainable Summits Conference I.Czekajewski Natural airflow brick Building modifications: - Polycarbonate panels on the roof for greenhouse effect - Airproofness of the technical area - Chimney 'size and form modifications - Ventilation valves 2 prototypes scale ½: - Several sensors (difference of pressure, temperature, amount of sunshine, wind) - Multiple building modification tests
- 12. 14-07-23 Sustainable Summits Conference I.Czekajewski A wide range of products Since 2010 Different products depending on: - the rate of frequentation: 3 000 to 40 000 utilizations/year - the localization (mountain or plain area) - Client’s wish Price ranging from 24 700 $ to 88 000 $
- 13. 14-07-23 Sustainable Summits Conference I.Czekajewski SaniMax – 15000 <utilizations/year < 40 000 Developed in 2013 for highway’s rest areas Price: up to 70 000 $ Specificities - Large building 4m X 5m - Scraper chain - Possibility of using a biofilter (UGN Cie) for bad odor removing - Fitted equipment in the cabin This model was developed as part of a collaborative European project called Drycloset
- 14. 14-07-23 Sustainable Summits Conference I.Czekajewski Saniverte – 8000 < Utilizations/year < 15 000 Historic model Price: around 50 000 $ Specificities - Different kind of roofs: flat, two sides - Cladding (wood core treatment) - Ventilation valves - Cabin entirely covered with white laminated wood
- 15. 14-07-23 Sustainable Summits Conference I.Czekajewski Saniter – 6 000 <utilizations/year < 12 000 Since 2011 Price: around 39 000 $ Specificities - Bicolor building - Walls built in plywood - Ventilation valves (option) - Cabin partially or entirely covered with white laminated wood Available in kit for Export This model was developed as part of a collaborative European project called Drycloset
- 16. 14-07-23 Sustainable Summits Conference I.Czekajewski Sanilight – 3 000 <utilizations/year < 8 000 1st version 2010; 2nd version 2014 Price: around 25 000 $ Specificities - Very simple and innovative design - Smaller conveyor belt fitted in the toilet bowl Soon in kit
- 17. 14-07-23 Sustainable Summits Conference I.Czekajewski Sanitrek – 2 000 <utilizations/year < 20 000 Since 2010 Price: around 30 000 $ Specificities - Transported by helicopter - No access for people with reduced mobility
- 18. 14-07-23 Sustainable Summits Conference I.Czekajewski Examples of installations in Mountain areas
- 19. 14-07-23 Sustainable Summits Conference I.Czekajewski 1. Vallot hut Installation in 2007 Altitude: 4400 m (14 440’) Drying system Estimated frequentation : 4 000 pers/year Customer: Municipality of Saint Gervais les Bains Specificities
- 20. 14-07-23 Sustainable Summits Conference I.Czekajewski 2. Tracuit hut Specificities Installation in 2013 Altitude: 3 256 m (10680’) Drying system Customer : Swiss Alpine Club Fabioz Fabrizzi Architects
- 21. 14-07-23 Sustainable Summits Conference I.Czekajewski 3. La Chal Specificities Installation in 2013 Altitude: 2 100 m (6890’) Saniverte model Vermicomposting System Customer: Municipality of Saint Jean D’Arves
- 22. 14-07-23 Sustainable Summits Conference I.Czekajewski 4. Val d’Isère Specificities Installation in 2014 Altitude: 2 000 m (6560’) Sanilight model Vermicomposting system Customer: Municipality of Val d’Isère
- 23. 14-07-23 Sustainable Summits Conference I.Czekajewski Thanks ! www.sanisphere-fr.com
Editor's Notes
- Hello everybody, It’s very nice to be here today. I will explain you how Sanisphere’s toilets work, what are the technologies. After quickly showing you the range of products, I’ll give you some examples in mountain areas. To begin, a short history of Sanisphere
- Sanisphere was created in 1991 by Pierre Colombot after 10 years of thought and pre-development in an association. Sanisphere was called Ecosphere Technologies but its name changed at the beginning of this year Pierre Colombot is a 74 years old man he is still our boss and we can tell that he is the most dynamic member of the company. Between 1991-2002, Sanisphere met several problems: First of them were technical: The first technology was inappropriate for public toilets uses. They were not adapted for the frequentation and faced odor and clogging problems To answer to that problem, Sanisphere developed two major technologies and I ‘m going to focus on them later: in 1995 a Conveyor Belt. This leaned conveyor belt represent the base of Sanisphere’s technology. This conveyor belt separates urine from solid-liquid mix Until 2001 faeces and toilet papers used to be dried in bags. After years of research, Sanisphere switched to Vermicomposting process. This technology permits to have less odors, lower volumes and hygienized solid waste The second problem was a Selling problem: in France at least, our clients like municipalities or French Alpine Club were not aware at all to dryclosets. They had a very bad image of them and they even didn’t want to hear about them. In 2002, Pierre Colombot and its team operated a drastic price raise. It was well-accepted by clients because of the improvment of the technologies and dryclosets become to be more accepted by customers From 2005 until now, Sanisphere has known Wealthier years with high growth of sells and of course of its turnover (except in 2009 and 2012) Strong with its experience, Sanisphere believes in Research and development and keep on investiging in it to improve its product Let’s see how it is currently doing: This year, we are currently 12 employees. Last year, we had a utrnover of M€ 1.5 (M$ 2) Since all these years, we have installed around 550 installations in France, few in Europe and 1 in North America. Good news for us, since 2 years, persons that have already ordered a toilet purchase a new one.
- Here you can see the traditional design of our buildings It is separated in two parts: The cabin for users the technical area where solid waste are stored and processed Sanisphere’s technologies are defined by three technological bricks The first brick is the mechanical brick with the conveyor belt that you can see here, the second one is the biological brick with the vermicomposting process and flies trap and the last brick is the Natural airflow. This brick enables the air to go from the cabin to the technical area through the toilet bowl and it goes out through the chimney. Let’s have a focus on the different bricks
- Conveyor belt It is the bases of Sanisphere technology. This technology was patented and sold since 1995. It separates by gravity urine from feces and toilet papers. This process allows the good working of vermicomposting process. Indeed, worms really don’t like ammonia. After utilization, the person pushes on the pedal located on the right side of the toilet bowl instead of pushing a button on a flush toilet. This pedal permits to activate the conveyor belt by simple mechanical connexions. Slow scraper chain is developed for very high rate of frequentation It is linked to the conveyor belt and so activated as well by the user of the toilets. It permits to use the whole surface of the technical area and not only the space available under the conveyor belt thus it avoids the accumulation of solid wastes just under the conveyor belt and so the blockage of this one. The scraper chain spread solid waste by the scraper elements under the scraper chain. The spreading limits the height of the pile of feces and thus anaerobic reactions. Anaerobic reactions products smell very bad and the lack of oxygen is prejudicial for worms The last part of the mechanical brick is the Self cleaning urine tray. It is designed to avoid pipes clogging. Sometimes toilet papers may not fall on the floor and so go to the urine tray (because the separating process don’t work a 100 %) This system permit to clean the urine tray and avoid that papers go into the pipes
- The vermicomposting process is a well-known process but it was not so easy to implement it in the case of drytoilets. First of all, Sanisphere found a good candidate, Eisenia Fetida. This worm is very resistant, like human waste. He can eat 5 times its weight per day and he can have 200 descendents per year After finding the worm, the first thing was to be sure that vermicomposting process can effectively work in our drytoilets. When i talk about efficient verimicomposting process, i think of - stabilization of the compot good hygienization of the compost To verify it, a first experience was led in the Pyrennees National Park, in France. 5 sets of tests were led: feces + worms, feces alone, nothing, feces+worms +straw , feces +straw There were satisfactory results: a lot of living worms were found. For tests with worms, the total volume was much more lower than at the beginning of the experience and than tests without worms and the obtained compost was odorless. The straw was useful to keep wetness for the well-being of worms. In term of quantitative results: BOD5 was greatly decreased as well as rate of enteroccocus and coliforms. IT was really convincing results and we keep on working on it, especially for high altitudes Crate = caisse
- The vermicomposting process is a well-known process but it was not so easy to implement it in the case of drytoilets. First of all, Sanisphere found a good candidate, Eisenia Fetida. This worm is very resistant, like human waste. He can eat 5 times its weight per day and he can have 200 descendents per year After finding the worm, the first thing was to be sure that vermicomposting process can effectively work in our drytoilets. When i talk about efficient verimicomposting process, i think of - stabilization of the compot good hygienization of the compost To verify it, a first experience was led in the Pyrennees National Park, in France. 5 sets of tests were led: feces + worms, feces alone, nothing, feces+worms +straw , feces +straw There were satisfactory results: a lot of living worms were found. For tests with worms, the total volume was much more lower than at the beginning of the experience and than tests without worms and the obtained compost was odorless. The straw was useful to keep wetness for the well-being of worms. In term of quantitative results: BOD5 was greatly decreased as well as rate of enteroccocus and coliforms. IT was really convincing results and we keep on working on it, especially for high altitudes Crate = caisse
- Sanisphere installed several toilets working with vermicomposting process but we didn’t dare to install it in moutains, particularly above 2000 m because we were not sure of the good efficiency of the vermicomposting process. So, toilets located in mountains were not equipped with vermicomposting but with the ancien but well-working system of drying process. So, several boxes were installed with worms and manure at different altitudes, from 1600 to 2600 m in the French Alps. Results were pretty encouraging. Except one box where worms were eaten by a marmot/woodchuk, manure was transformed to compost in all the boxes. At all tested altitudes, worms survived and the manure was transformed. It is true but depending on the altitude, the composting process was more or less fast. Indeed, during winter conditions, worms are dormant (in dormancy) and these conditions are maintained for a more or less long period depending on the altitude. Currently, we would like to do again these experiences but at higher altitudes and maybe with different kinds of boxes. A ne pas dire a priori : to Insulation of the pile formed by feces and worms. It would avoid to have heat loss and quick temperature changes. 2 kinds of insulation are available: we can insulate the ground by putting insulating material on it or we can insulate the pile by putting a cover on it. It could be done in PVC for example.
- Sanisphere installed several toilets working with vermicomposting process but we didn’t dare to install it in moutains, particularly above 2000 m because we were not sure of the good efficiency of the vermicomposting process. So, toilets located in mountains were not equipped with vermicomposting but with the ancien but well-working system of drying process. So, several boxes were installed with worms and manure at different altitudes, from 1600 to 2600 m in the French Alps. Results were pretty encouraging. Except one box where worms were eaten by a marmot/woodchuk, manure was transformed to compost in all the boxes. At all tested altitudes, worms survived and the manure was transformed. It is true but depending on the altitude, the composting process was more or less fast. Indeed, during winter conditions, worms are dormant (in dormancy) and these conditions are maintained for a more or less long period depending on the altitude. Currently, we would like to do again these experiences but at higher altitudes and maybe with different kinds of boxes. A ne pas dire a priori : to Insulation of the pile formed by feces and worms. It would avoid to have heat loss and quick temperature changes. 2 kinds of insulation are available: we can insulate the ground by putting insulating material on it or we can insulate the pile by putting a cover on it. It could be done in PVC for example.
- The biological brick is mainly linked with vermicomposting process but not only We keep on looking for other organisms for composting process. For example, we found a snail called Zonites algirus. It lives in the south of France and It’s other name is “crap eater” because obviously it eats feces. Nevertheless, we haven’t tried yet to put it in tests. Woodlouses are found on many installations in France. It seems that they are co-composting feces with worms. Further research has to be led to determine if they really help the composting process in stabilization of the compost, hygienization, both or none. Another research theme is urine treatment. Actually, urine are spread into the soil through a sand filter or they are collected into a tank if the first solution is not possible. It is just the beginning at Sanisphere but we are working on urine treatments and especially struvite recovery. Struvite is a white solid composed by magnesium, ammonium and phosphate. It could be a good manner for recycling phosphore for agricultural purposes. We try to find a very simple system to favorize struvite precipitation but as I said it is just the beginning and I don’t have convincing result to show to you today. A study showed us that female flies used to go in technical areas to lay their eggs (represent 80 % of flies present in catch bag). Flies traps were developed to avoid the uncontrolled development of flies inside the technical area. This trap is very simple: flies are attracted by the light from outside. They go into the small hole but they cannot go outside again. When they die, they fall into the bag. With this kind of trap, we can catch more than 30.000 flies in 3 weeks ! So this trap combined with a strict airproofness of our buildings for the well-working of natural airflow system reduces a lot flies issue. When we go on our existing installations, we almost never find flies into the technical area and very few into the bag of the flies trap. This lead us to the last technological brick: the natural airflow system
- Before the development of natural airflow system, we used photovoltaic panels but we faced several problems: - Theft even in remote sites - Vandalism - No substitution of old batteries That is why we tried to find another way without using electricity to guarantee odorless cabins As I told you, this brick enables the air to go from the cabin, the air is sucked through the toilet bowl, to the technical area. This process prevents odors from the technical area to come to the cabin without using any electric devices like fans. It uses no active devices but it works with air movements resulting from daylight, sun and eventually wind. The Principle is that the air must be warmed to go up and to get out of the building through the chimney creating higher pressure into the cabin than in the technical area Natural airflow is a very complex system whose theory is linked with fluid mechanics so finding means to have a good natural airflow is pretty hard. It depends on material choices in term of thermal properties (thermal conductivity, thermal mass...) and design, and once these means are well-identified they are often simple but their implementation must be done very carefully. For example, the technical area where the vermicomposting is done has to be very airproof.
- The implementation of the natural airflow was followed by different building modifications: We add polycarbonate panels on the roof for greenhouse effect, we manufacture our building with the constraints of strict airproofness of the technical area, the chimney was modified and we add ventilation valves to benefit from the wind no matter what its direction is. To improve this brick, we built two small prototypes equipped with several sensors.
- Before 2010, Sanisphere had only one product. Then, we try to diversify our range of products because of the opening of the market (new product, cheaper). The actual toilets are all made in wood excepting some special buildings but they differ of one from the others by their capacities. Indeed, the rate of frequentation is the first parameter that leads to choose one product and not another. Our buildings are adapted for frequentation range of 3000 to 40 000 utilizations per year. The second parameter is the localization of the building. One of them is especially designed for remote areas with no road access And the last parameter but not the least is obviously client’s wishes.
- The more compelx, fat and expensive of our building is called SANIMAX. It was developed in 2013 for highway’s rest areas. Because of the high rates of frequentation and frequent vandalism, the design and the manufacturing are made very carefully. The size of the building is 4 meter width and 5 meters length. The technical area is equipped with a scraper chain seen before. To avoid vandalism, equipments in the cabin are fitted into a wall. Quantity of solid waste are really higher than on other sites; so to improve bad odor removing, a biofilter was developed by the german company UGN and installed some weeks ago for the first time. This model was co-developed in a European collaborative project. Its price is up to 70 000 $.
- Saniverte is the historic model, unique model sold till 2005. compare to the sanimax, it has a smaller size of 2m width and 4 meters length. This model has all the options available. Different kind of roofs, cladding with wood that has received a wood core treatment, ventilation valves to improve natural airflow system The cabin is entirely covered with white laminated wood for aesthetic reason but also for hygienic reasons. The price of this model is around 50 000$
- This model was developed in 2011. different options are available depending on the wishes and the budget of the client: The main difference with the Saniverte is that the Saniter has no cladding but it is made in plywood. It is a bicolor building with the cabin part in light colours and the technical area in dark colors. This model is available in kit for international export. It was developed during the european project DEMO.
- The Sanilight is the cheapest model. This first version was made in 2010 and it looked like the Saniter model. The second and actual version has a very novative shape as you can see. Its design is very simple and permit to reduce production cost and selling cost as well. For this model, a different conveyor belt is used. It is the same principle but instead of being fixed under the floor of the cabin, this conveyor belt is fitted in the toilet bowl which is a real advantage in term of space. This model should be soon proposed in kit as well. Its price is around 25 000$
- Some of our installations, mainly in mountain areas are not accessible by trucks or cars. For these sites, we developed a model especially for transportation by helicopter. During the design phase, we particularly pay attention to its weight and to special ties located on the roof. Different kinds of Sanitreck are available. Thus, the rate of frequentation could be from 2000 to 20 000 utilizations/year. All our models are accessible by people with reduced mobility but not this model. As it is difficult to access to the sites where are installed the Sanitrecks, we consider that people that can reach the toilets are able as well to use it. For this model, the price is around 30.000 $
- I will give you some examples of toilets that we installed the last few years in mountain areas. Some of them differ from the one that I’ve just presented to you. They are all located in the French or Swiss Alps. Here is a map of a part of the Alps with lyon, Geneva and Torino to find your way. Here are the location of the 4 examples that I’m going to present you
- We have several installations around the Mont Blanc. This example is actually our highest toilets at an altitude of 4400 m. This installation is very particular to that site. Weather conditions are, for France, very tough with wind blowing till 300 km/h and temperature under -40°C even in summer. It’s design is unique with a wooden frame cover with metal panels. It was realized in that material for wind resistance. As I said before, it has to be confirmed but it seems that vermicomposting process cannot be done at this altitude. So the drying system is used for this toilet. I’ll say few words about this sytem: The well-working of the toilet is still based on the gravitary separation done by the conveyor belt but in that case, solid waste fall into bags made in geotextile which are fixed on a carrousel. The carrousel turns when the user pushes the pedal after using the toilet. That permits to distribute solid waste in all the compartments of the carrousel. For this technology, fans are used to dry feces into bags. Once a year, bags are changed. Fans for drying and warming wires used to avoid that urine freezes are directly plugged on photovoltaic panels. In this case, it is not possible to spread urine into the soil so they are directly evacuated outside on the cliff. For information, it was the most expensive toilet that Sanisphere has ever sold with a price of 190 000 $. The helicopter transport costed 27 000$
- Here you can see on the map our different installations in this part of Switzerland. This installation is special as well because it is an integration of our technical system into an existing building, the Tracuit Hut. In 2013, Fabioz Fabrizzi Architects were in charge of redesigning the hut for the Swiss Alpine Club. They integrated our toilets into the new hut. We have no idea of the frequentation but hut capacity is 120 persons/night. The hut is at 3 256 m high so the drying system is used. electricity is installed in the hut so fans work with it French trench is used for urine
- Here you can see on the map our different installations in this part of the French Alps. La Chal toilet is located on slopes of a ski resort. This installation is a Saniverte model working with vermicomposting process. There is no electricity needed here. Urine are spread into the soil (french trench)
- Here you can see on the map our different installations in another part of the French Alps. It is located to the departure of hiking ways This installation is a Sanilight model working with vermicomposting process. This model of Sanilight has internal reinforcement to support snow couple with strong wind in winter. It was installed 2 weeks ago! There is no electricity needed here. Urine are spread into the soil (french trench)