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Biological toilets, also known as composting toilets, are toilets that require little to no water. Instead of your waste going to a treatment plant or a septic tank, your waste goes to a container were it is dehydrated and composted to an end product that can be used a nutritional fertilizer for plants. There are many different types of composting toilets ranging in size, shape and design. They all have a comment focus, which is to turn human waste into a valuable compost matter.

The most common types of composting toilets are continuous and batch. Batch (as seen in figure 1) composting toilets are probably the most commonly used composting toilets worldwide. These toilets usually have two or more compost bins. Once one bin is filled with waste it is removed so that it can compost the matter inside, meanwhile a second bin is put in its place to gather the human waste. On the other hand, Continuous composting (as seen in figure 2) toilets are single composting chambers where the new waste is added to the top of the pile inside the chamber and the end product is removed from the bottom of the chamber.

Figure 1

Batch composting toilets

This image can be found at: http://www.inthewake.org/b1latrine2.html

Pending Permission

Figure 2

Continuous composting toilets

This picture was found at: http://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/comp.pdf

Pending permission

So how does this complex toilet work? Composting toilets work by providing an enclosed container or chamber. Inside the chamber, the natural process of aerobic decomposition is simulated. This is the same type of decomposition that happens on the forest floor, which creates an end product that is nutritious for vegetation.

Depending upon the designs of the toilet, the time and the way the decomposing process is carried out will vary. However, they all basically work in the following way:

What are Composting

Toilets

and

How do They Work?

What are Composting Toilets?

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Composting Toilet links Main Page The History of Composting Toilets The Advantages The Disadvantages References CCAT Links Home About Us Contact Calendar News Resources Blog Photos Search Site Feedback Strategic Plan Support CCAT AT Links HSU Homepage Google G-mail Yahoo Hotmail Wikipedia	What are Composting Toilets and How do They Work? What are Composting Toilets? Biological toilets, also known as composting toilets, are toilets that require little to no water. Instead of your waste going to a treatment plant or a septic tank, your waste goes to a container were it is dehydrated and composted to an end product that can be used a nutritional fertilizer for plants. There are many different types of composting toilets ranging in size, shape and design. They all have a comment focus, which is to turn human waste into a valuable compost matter. The most common types of composting toilets are continuous and batch. Batch (as seen in figure 1) composting toilets are probably the most commonly used composting toilets worldwide. These toilets usually have two or more compost bins. Once one bin is filled with waste it is removed so that it can compost the matter inside, meanwhile a second bin is put in its place to gather the human waste. On the other hand, Continuous composting (as seen in figure 2) toilets are single composting chambers where the new waste is added to the top of the pile inside the chamber and the end product is removed from the bottom of the chamber. Figure 1 Batch composting toilets This image can be found at: http://www.inthewake.org/b1latrine2.html Pending Permission Figure 2 Continuous composting toilets This picture was found at: http://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/comp.pdf Pending permission How do they Work? So how does this complex toilet work? Composting toilets work by providing an enclosed container or chamber. Inside the chamber, the natural process of aerobic decomposition is simulated. This is the same type of decomposition that happens on the forest floor, which creates an end product that is nutritious for vegetation. Depending upon the designs of the toilet, the time and the way the decomposing process is carried out will vary. However, they all basically work in the following way: Air baffles are used to deliver or inject air into the pile of compost, which increases decomposition. The composting chamber or bins are heated to keep the compost at a good temperature to enhance decomposing. Usually solar panels, wind power or other forms of reusable energy are used to power the heating units to reduce the electricity cost. Air or exhaust vents, and often fans, are used to blow the odors, heat, carbon dioxide, water vapor and byproducts of the aerobic decomposition outside the container. To make sure that the decomposition is happening throughout the entire pile, mixing tongs are used to circulate the pile. Composting worms and macro-organisms are added to break down the large compounds. Next Page

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