A tricky one for you: I’m working on a project and am quite stuck.
It is for an NGO in Uganda who want to know to get a better idea of what goes into their basic pit latrines (essentially a hole in the ground where waste is flushed into via flushing with a bucket of water).
The setup is pretty much this: http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/publicati.../2-4/4-1-3.asp
The waste enters via a 110 mm pipe (angle is variable but can be fixed for a trial). The NGO would prefer if the device is something which fits on/around the pipe.
I want to measure:
1. At the very least – an approximation of what total combined volume of liquids plus solids is entering the pit (plus timings would be great)
2. In the ideal world – the proportions of water vs urine vs solids entering the pit (and at what time)
I guess the time is useful because maybe through some manipulation of the data I can start to link up a ‘use’ with a volume e.g. if the ‘switch’ which say something passes is activated 3 times in one minute – this could be attributed to one user (the distinction between ‘uses’ and ‘volume’ is difficult in my mind.
This would ideally be transmitted via phone or have collect-able data. No mains electricity available.
Any help greatly appreciated – this data will hopefully enable the NGO to work more effectively for provision of sanitation. Keep in mind the basic and rough conditions in a Ugandan toilet pit!
Nicola
p.s. I am not being payed for this work - just trying to help them out.
p.p.s I have some ideas but this post was too long so if someone joins me for a chat about this I'll explain my initial thoughts.
p.p.s Please be patient. I have no electronics background - civil engineer
It is for an NGO in Uganda who want to know to get a better idea of what goes into their basic pit latrines (essentially a hole in the ground where waste is flushed into via flushing with a bucket of water).
The setup is pretty much this: http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/publicati.../2-4/4-1-3.asp
The waste enters via a 110 mm pipe (angle is variable but can be fixed for a trial). The NGO would prefer if the device is something which fits on/around the pipe.
I want to measure:
1. At the very least – an approximation of what total combined volume of liquids plus solids is entering the pit (plus timings would be great)
2. In the ideal world – the proportions of water vs urine vs solids entering the pit (and at what time)
I guess the time is useful because maybe through some manipulation of the data I can start to link up a ‘use’ with a volume e.g. if the ‘switch’ which say something passes is activated 3 times in one minute – this could be attributed to one user (the distinction between ‘uses’ and ‘volume’ is difficult in my mind.
This would ideally be transmitted via phone or have collect-able data. No mains electricity available.
Any help greatly appreciated – this data will hopefully enable the NGO to work more effectively for provision of sanitation. Keep in mind the basic and rough conditions in a Ugandan toilet pit!
Nicola
p.s. I am not being payed for this work - just trying to help them out.
p.p.s I have some ideas but this post was too long so if someone joins me for a chat about this I'll explain my initial thoughts.
p.p.s Please be patient. I have no electronics background - civil engineer
