# US 8,784,739 B2 · Method and apparatus for controlling fecal odors

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- Number: US 8,784,739 B2
- Document ID: US8784739B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/897,452
- Filed: 2007-08-30
- Published: 2008-03-13
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 2006-09-07
- Assignees: Environmental Purification, LLC
- Applicants: Don S. Sifers; Kent A. Pennybaker
- Inventors: Don S. Sifers; Kent A. Pennybaker
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8784739B2

## CPC

- A47K 17/00: Other sanitary equipment not covered by the other groups of this subclass {; Holders for toilet brushes}
- A61L 9/00: Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air (body deodorants A61Q15/00; purifying air by respirators A62B, A62D9/00; separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours B01D45/00 - B01D51/00, B03C3/00; chemical or biological purification of waste gases B01D53/34; production of ozone C01B13/10; air-conditioning systems incorporating sterilisation F24F3/16, F24F8/20)
- A61L 9/032: {comprising a fan}
- A61L 11/00: Methods specially adapted for refuse {(disintegrating medical waste B02C19/0075; disposal of medical waste B09B3/00)}
- E03D 9/04: Special arrangement or operation of ventilating devices (ventilating rooms in general F24F)
- F23G 7/07: in which combustion takes place in the presence of catalytic material
- Y02A 50/30: Against vector-borne diseases, e.g. mosquito-borne, fly-borne, tick-borne or waterborne diseases whose impact is exacerbated by climate change
- Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining
- A47K: SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- E03D: WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
- F23G: CREMATION FURNACES; CONSUMING WASTE PRODUCTS BY COMBUSTION
- Y02A: TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

Methods and apparatus for controlling fecal odors in an enclosed space, such as a pit latrine, include providing an oxidizer, such as a catalytic heater and an optional mechanical ventilation unit, such as an inline fan, both flow connected to a vault (pit) of the latrine. The heater is also connected to a source of fuel, for example, propane. Fresh air is drawn through vents in the latrine housing and thereafter through toilets in the latrine and through the vault, providing oxygen for the reaction. The fan and/or oxidation process draws both fresh air and accompanying odorous compounds directly from the latrine and into the oxidizer wherein the odorous components are substantially destroyed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A pit latrine retrofitted for deodorizing air in a vicinity thereof, the latrine comprising:
(a) an underground structure having a toilet opening and a pump-out opening, wherein the underground structure defines a vault configured to store solid and liquid waste;
(b) a vented, housed user area located above the toilet opening, the user area including at least one toilet, wherein the at least one toilet is in fluid communication with the toilet opening such that the solid and liquid waste from the at least one toilet empties into the vault, wherein the pump-out opening of the underground structure is located outside the user area;
(c) a unit having a flameless heater configured to perform an oxidation reaction, wherein the unit is housed separately from the user area;
(d) an open gas-flow conduit having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the open gas-flow conduit is attached to the underground structure at the pump-out opening and the second end of the open gas-flow conduit is attached to the flameless heater, wherein the open gas-flow conduit is in fluid communication with the vault, wherein the flameless heater is in fluid communication with and in continuous and uninterrupted one-way gas flow communication with the at least one toilet such that ambient air is drawn through the at least one toilet and into the flameless heater; and
(e) an out-gas conduit attached to the unit and in fluid communication with the flameless heater, wherein the out-gas conduit is configured to emit deodorized gases from the flameless heater into the air.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The pit latrine of claim 1 wherein the flameless heater is a catalytic heater.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The pit latrine of claim 1 further comprising an inline mechanical ventilation unit located in the open gas-flow conduit.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The pit latrine of claim 3 wherein the mechanical ventilation unit is a fan.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The pit latrine of claim 3 further comprising a control system configured to cycle operation of the ventilation unit and the flameless heater based on a time dependent schedule to optimize fuel usage.

### Claim 6

A ventilation system for a latrine, wherein the latrine defines a user space having at least one toilet and a vent configured to draw fresh air into the user space, and wherein the latrine comprises at least one waste receiving conduit in fluid communication with the at least one toilet and a waste holding chamber, wherein the waste holding chamber is configured to receive and store waste from the at least one toilet, wherein the ventilation system comprises:
(a) a first conduit having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is in fluid communication with the waste holding chamber;
(b) a flameless heater in fluid communication with the second end of the first conduit and configured to perform an oxidation reaction on odorous air to produce deodorized air;
(c) at least one fan positioned within the first conduit between the waste holding chamber and the flameless heater, wherein the at least one fan is configured to draw in the odorous air from the waste holding chamber, the at least one toilet, and the user space, wherein the at least one fan is configured to direct the odorous air to the flameless heater; and
(d) a second conduit in fluid communication with the flameless heater and configured to receive deodorized air from the flameless heater and emit the deodorized air.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The ventilation system of claim 6, wherein the second conduit is configured to emit the deodorized air into an environment outside of the user space.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The ventilation system of claim 6, wherein the second conduit is in fluid communication with the user space and configured to emit the deodorized air directly into the user space.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The ventilation system of claim 6, wherein the flameless heater is a catalytic heater.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The ventilation system of claim 6 further comprising a control system configured to cycle operation of the at least one fan and the flameless heater based on a time dependent schedule to optimize fuel usage.

### Claim 11 (depends on 6)

The ventilation system of claim 6, wherein the at least one fan and the flameless heater are powered by a battery system.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The ventilation system of claim 11, wherein the battery system is configured to be recharged by at least one solar panel.

### Claim 13 (depends on 6)

The ventilation system of claim 6, wherein the first end of the first conduit is connected to an exhaust vent stack, wherein the exhaust vent stack is connected with the waste holding chamber such that the first end of the first conduit is in fluid communication with the waste holding chamber, and wherein the at least one fan is positioned between the exhaust vent stack and the flameless heater and configured to draw in the odorous air from the waste holding chamber through the exhaust vent stack.

### Claim 14 (depends on 6)

The ventilation system of claim 6, wherein the fan is in continuous and uninterrupted one-way gas flow communication with the at least one toilet such that ambient air is drawn through the at least one toilet.

### Claim 15

A latrine comprising:
(a) a toilet located in a housing defining an enclosed user space;
(b) a vent configured to direct fresh air into the user space;
(c) a waste holding chamber having a first opening and a second opening, the waste holding chamber is in fluid communication with the toilet at the first opening;
(d) a first conduit attached to the second opening of the waste holding chamber;
(e) a flameless heater located outside of the housing and in fluid communication with the first conduit, wherein the flameless heater is configured to perform an oxidation reaction on odorous air to produce deodorized air;
(f) at least one fan positioned within the first conduit between the waste holding chamber and the flameless heater, wherein the at least one fan is configured to draw the odorous air from the waste holding chamber, the toilet, and the user space and direct the odorous air to the flameless heater; and
(e) a second conduit in fluid communication with the flameless heater, wherein the second conduit is configured to receive deodorized air from the flameless heater and emit the deodorized air.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The latrine of claim 15 wherein the toilet is a plurality of toilets.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The latrine of claim 15, wherein the second conduit is configured to emit the deodorized air into an environment outside of the user space.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The latrine of claim 15, wherein the second conduit is in fluid communication with the user space and configured to emit the deodorized air directly into the user space.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The latrine of claim 15, wherein the flameless heater is a catalytic heater.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

The latrine of claim 15 further comprising a control system configured to cycle operation of the at least one fan and the flameless heater based on a time dependent schedule to optimize fuel usage.

### Claim 21 (depends on 15)

The latrine of claim 15, wherein the at least one fan and the flameless heater are powered by a battery system.

### Claim 22 (depends on 15)

The latrine of claim 15, wherein the latrine comprises a portable toilet.

### Claim 23 (depends on 15)

The latrine of claim 15, further comprising an exhaust vent stack connected to the waste holding chamber, wherein the first conduit is further connected to the exhaust vent stack such that the first conduit is in fluid communication with the waste holding chamber, and wherein the at least one fan is positioned between the exhaust vent stack and the flameless heater and configured to draw in the odorous air from the waste holding chamber through the exhaust vent stack.

### Claim 24 (depends on 15)

The latrine of claim 15, wherein the fan is in continuous and uninterrupted one-way gas flow communication with the toilet such that ambient air is drawn through the at least one toilet.