Urine based nutrient-recovery systems and methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current urine diversion technologies, such as urinals and eco-toilets, face resistance from homeowners due to issues like smell, aesthetics, and maintenance costs, limiting their adoption for residential use, despite their potential to conserve water and provide a valuable fertilizer source.
Innovation Solution
Development of wall-mounted urine diversion devices with a configurable body, bezel, and cover design that allows for easy installation and operation, coupled with a storage tank system for collecting and processing urine into fertilizer, addressing the need for a user-friendly and efficient urine diversion solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional urinals or eco-toilets are used for urine diversion, then urine can be collected for fertilizer production, but homeowners resist adoption due to smell, aesthetics, and maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the urine collection function from traditional urinals and eco-toilets by integrating it into a standard toilet bowl design. The urine diverter is installed within the existing toilet bowl, separating urine diversion from the need for specialized fixtures that homeowners resist. This allows urine collection while maintaining the familiar appearance and operation of a conventional toilet.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the standard toilet bowl multi-functional by enabling it to both flush waste traditionally and divert urine for fertilizer production. The urine diverter allows the existing toilet infrastructure to serve dual purposes: conventional sewage disposal and nutrient recovery, eliminating the need for separate urinals or specialized eco-toilets.
2Loss of substance
If urine is diverted from the waste stream, then water consumption is reduced and fertilizer is produced, but specialized fixtures increase device complexity and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the toilet bowl into two functional zones: a urine collection area and a fecal waste area. The urine diverter creates a physical separation within the bowl, directing urine through a dedicated outlet while solid waste remains in the main bowl for traditional flushing. This segmentation enables water conservation through selective urine diversion while using simple, maintainable components.
3Ease of operation
If standard toilets are used, then water is consumed for flushing, but urine nutrients are wasted and contribute to pollution when entering waterways
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of urine nutrients polluting waterways into a beneficial fertilizer product. By diverting urine from the sewage stream before it reaches treatment plants, the system prevents nutrient pollution while capturing nitrogen and phosphorus for agricultural use. The potential harm of urine discharge is transformed into a valuable resource.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems and methods that provide for separation of urine. The separated urine can be processed and used as a fertilizer. The urine-based fertilizer provides a lower cost, environmentally responsible, alternative to synthetic fertilizer with a guaranteed constant and locally available supply. Additionally, the devices, systems and methods reduce the use of fresh water associated with toilet flushing.