solar poop incinerator

[cholla]

I saw this:

http://www.incinolet.com/aboutus_2.htm

and I thought maybe I could build a solar poop incinerator out of a giant fresnel lens.

do you think anyone would mind if I set it up somewhere outside of town? I've never been to BM so I don't know how crowded it is out there but it sure would be nice to avoid the "temples of stench." of course I'd pack out the ashes for myself.

[capjbadger]

Ok, so I read the link and I have one very large question. The damn thing burns the poop and urine and there is a fan...

No smell?? Yeah right. It smells like burning poo! WTF??

I don't think anyone downwind of you will thank you for burning poo around them.
Honestly the porta-potties aren't that bad.

That's it! Next year's base for the Man. Can you picture it? A giant steaming mound under the Man, then light 'er up!

[robbidobbs]

If this is a project you want to embark on, then I recommend getting it, and taking it on a week long camping trip, preferably in the desert, to test drive it. If what they say is true...

Catalyst within the toilet keeps exhaust odor-free.

then I don't see any more problem than any other personal potty.

This does sound like a lot more trouble than it might be worth.

Since you've never been to BM, you'll have to take our word for it: the potties are not that bad.

RobbiDobbs
Chief Poopervisor of the Pottie Project

[sputnik]

They're actually fine, especially if you catch them right after they've been serviced. I make a habit of figuring out the schedule for the nearest ones and trying to plan my trips accordingly. Doesn't always work out, and that's why you should always have a roll of one-ply with you.

[Ugly Dougly]

Downwind with that thing, that you very much.

What if I brought talcum powder and drywall to the playa, would they be MOOP?

[capjbadger]

If this is a project you want to embark on, then I recommend getting it, and taking it on a week long camping trip, preferably in the desert, to test drive it. If what they say is true...

Catalyst within the toilet keeps exhaust odor-free.

then I don't see any more problem than any other personal potty.

This does sound like a lot more trouble than it might be worth.

Since you've never been to BM, you'll have to take our word for it: the potties are not that bad.

RobbiDobbs
Chief Poopervisor of the Pottie Project

Ahhh.. thanks Robbi. I missed that part about the catalyst. So I guess it's doable, but does sound like alot of hassle. Plus Murphy would show up and hide the sun all week.

Lock you bike, always carry some one-ply... yeah

Happiness is a fresh blue room.

[R1Z]

Incinerating toilets are an old, old concept. I have seen plans published in the 1920s for them. Also, folk migrating west in covered wagons across the prairie burned "buffalo chips"--sun dried buffalo dung for cooking fuel.

The traditional concept is to use the heat of combustion to dry the fresher, moister poo so it'll burn. No word on odor, although if it were thoroughly dry I suspect there'd be little. It would be the drying process that would smell. And you'd need enough poo for it to be a continuous operation or the fire would go out or need additional fuel.

BTW--a fresnel lens wouldn't focus the sunlight, you need a plano-convex lens or a convex mirror.

All in all, it sounds to me like it's more trouble than it's worth. I suggest learning to inhale through your mouth, and avoiding the heat of the day.

[theCryptofishist]

Also, folk migrating west in covered wagons across the prairie burned "buffalo chips"--sun dried buffalo dung for cooking fuel.

Hey, providing fuel is one of the things that makes the cow sacred in India.