Struvite Reactor Tank
Eawag
The Struvite Reactor Tank converts urine into fertilizer.
The Eawag low-cost struvite reactor tank is a tool to produce struvite powder from urine. Struvite contains nutrients such as phosphorus necessary for plant growth. The product aims to improve crop production in low-income communities and improve resource reuse. Phosphorus is becoming scarce and as a result, it is becoming increasingly important to find new phosphorus sources. Urine is available wherever there are humans and by constructing a struvite reactor tank and selling/using struvite on farmland, individuals can improve their economic situation while also simplifying waste management since it is easier to handle and make use of urine and faeces separately than when mixed.
Tanks to produce struvite from urine can be advanced. The pictured low-cost versions are targeted towards the global south with implementation so far in Nepal and South Africa.
50 L tank: ~59.70 USD (7000 Nepal Rupee) Converted on September 2020
500 L tank: ~366.70 USD (43,000 Nepal Rupee) Converted on September 2020
Direct and indirect competitors include fertilizers sold in stores, or applying urine directly or after mixing with water.
Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation
Communities and farmers in areas where farming are common due to its market for fertilizer and a stronger incitement to recover nutrients. The product is adapted to be simple to use so that anyone with some building skills and information on how the process works will be able to construct and use the tank using open source information.
