Decentralised Sanitation & Energy System

Decentralised Sanitation for Refugee Camps with Energy & Nutrient Recovery

Long Description

The project is developing decentralised sanitation for underserved communities that turn wastewater into multiple value-added products reducing the cost of sanitation and incentivising its use especially in regions where open defecation is common. The system is being designed for refugee camps specifically in Uganda which is under significant pressure from the refugee crisis it is facing. The project is being developed with Mercy Corps who are working in the camps so the system can create jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities for refugees while providing clean energy for electricity and cooking.

The system uses low-cost biological electrochemical cells including microbial fuel cells (MFC) and microbial electrolysis cells (MEC) to treat the wastewater. During the process bacteria within the MFCs break down the organic compounds, which transfer electrons through a circuit allowing it to generate electricity. This powers the MECs which break down the organic compounds to produce a hydrogen biogas mix. The biogas can be stored and used in a generator or for cooking on a gas stove. Concentrated solar dry the remaining sludge which will be heated anaerobically so it can be turned into biochar or charcoal depending on the local needs. The system separates the different waste streams at the source allowing nutrients within the urine to be recovered which is turned into a concentrated fertiliser so that the refugees can increase crop yields. Within the system, water will be recovered so it can be reused for washing and irrigation to help reduce water stresses during droughts.