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  1. Nicolag

    Removing Trash - Pit Latrine in Rwanda

    Thanks for the feedback Dhengr and apologies for the slow response. So I should have mentioned, we are actually emptying the latrines completely - we just try to do some pre-removal of rags etc because they block our pump (we currently use a vacuum based system) - create vacuum in small barrel...
  2. Nicolag

    Emptying septic tanks/pit latrines in Kigali - Rwanda

    Just wanted to provide some update the hopper system is not the perfect solution but it sure is a good one. This is not the best video, but we now build up a vacuum in this black barrel and when it fills with sludge we release via a tap. Obviously this tap is too complicated (will hopefully...
  3. Nicolag

    Removing Trash - Pit Latrine in Rwanda

    Some additional constraints are that we need to fit the design through the entrance to the latrine - typically a 0.2 x 0.1 m hole in a thick concrete slab. So that makes buckets etc difficult - unless we decide to break the slabs a bit more. The bucket, or anything similar is also likely to...
  4. Nicolag

    Removing Trash - Pit Latrine in Rwanda

    Very interesting Yes perhaps we should have a 'scooper' and (dare I say) a 'hooker'. I too think we need to move to some kind of hook that we rotate a bit so that each time we send it down it's more worth the effort. Each time we put it down now, we get a rag or two back..but at least we...
  5. Nicolag

    Removing Trash - Pit Latrine in Rwanda

    We have a team emptying pit latrines/septic tanks in Kigali, Rwanda. These pits are often full of trash, which really mucks up our emptying procedure for sludge. It often comprises of 10-15% of total volume we remove. Pits are 5m plus deep and typical trash comprises of nappies, bottles, rags...
  6. Nicolag

    Emptying septic tanks/pit latrines in Kigali - Rwanda

    Hmm - interesting feedback - thank you. Plenty of risks there. We are testing the hopper system tomorrow so I'll send some pics of how this is materializing.
  7. Nicolag

    Emptying septic tanks/pit latrines in Kigali - Rwanda

    I am pursuing your ideas above (i) the intermediate hopper (ii) the barrel within a vacuum proof container having some prototypes made up and I will keep you informed of developments - we should be giving them a test next week On a side note - a colleague was suggesting that rather than do...
  8. Nicolag

    Emptying septic tanks/pit latrines in Kigali - Rwanda

    Damn I wrote a response but it got lost in the Rwandan internet. Header tank i have considered this and i have had the tank itself made (just 50L since the workmanship is poor, so I don't want too much negative pressure in there).My issues was (a) how to safety control air valve on top of...
  9. Nicolag

    Emptying septic tanks/pit latrines in Kigali - Rwanda

    OK - I never even considered this as a possibility. You are saying I can have one strong tank which can withstand the vacuum and just insert my barrel for use inside? That would be fantastic if I could think of a way to get them out easily (perhaps via screw on lids with handles on?). Just...
  10. Nicolag

    Negative pressure 30L barrel

    Hi I am designing systems for emptying latrines/toilets in Kigali (full thread on the problem here: http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=408959 and video of process here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S_8mLChMe4) We pump the waste out from the underground pits using a vane pump to a...
  11. Nicolag

    Emptying septic tanks/pit latrines in Kigali - Rwanda

    Estimated pressure build up of 0.7-0.9 bar for the current ~50L barrels. So if we brought it down to 30 would only need to withstand ~0.5. No experience with these materials so I'm not sure what we could work with. All i've managed to find here is some thick walled irrigation pipe (310mm with...
  12. Nicolag

    Emptying septic tanks/pit latrines in Kigali - Rwanda

    Thanks Martin Of course! I never thought of that - if we manage to bring in roadside tipping we could just work with 10 or so barrels coming back and forth - so if I can make a less clunky/hard to lift vacuum proof barrel then we eliminate a round of pouring (provided its not too heavy). Ok -...
  13. Nicolag

    Emptying septic tanks/pit latrines in Kigali - Rwanda

    Sorry for delay but thanks for these helpful posts. Martin - you are coming closest to whats feasible here I think. (and you raise the important question, is this old sludge even useful - we are taking samples and testing for calorific value periodically to try build up some data around this...
  14. Nicolag

    Emptying septic tanks/pit latrines in Kigali - Rwanda

    Clean Team in Ghana are a start- up enterprise reverting back to a night soil type activity: http://cleanteamtoilets.com/ Only problem for them is that they lose money as cleaning the barrel and disposing of the resultant waste water. Nicola
  15. Nicolag

    Emptying septic tanks/pit latrines in Kigali - Rwanda

    The wrong size barrels are pretty handy to be honest as it allows us to be a bit more sloppy with the pouring. Only other hope is to suck into some intermediate tank what releases precisely the barrel volume. Any barrels less than 50L do not come as standard here, unless you look at using the...
  16. Nicolag

    Emptying septic tanks/pit latrines in Kigali - Rwanda

    Thank you - the above is really useful. Some are some thoughts I've had (I'm pretty familiar with all the low cost systems currently out there - these hills have just added a new dimension), some are new thoughts. What Artisi has said about the data is really critical. I present you the worst...
  17. Nicolag

    Emptying septic tanks/pit latrines in Kigali - Rwanda

    great - thanks for the feedback. That's essentially what I'm trying to establish: will I ever be able to do this via a pump/series of pumps or do I need to get real and just keep planning around the container carrying system.
  18. Nicolag

    Emptying septic tanks/pit latrines in Kigali - Rwanda

    Hello I am an engineer working in Kigali to design systems for emptying pit toilets. Some key facts: - 90% of Kigali (1 million people) have no sewer - Instead of a sewer, people have 'on-site' sanitation - either a septic tank or pit latrine (basically a 2-5 m deep pit in the ground that you...

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