Alan Sugarman wrote:

Thanks for the images!

> As to the EPA etc., there are government grants out there for this
> issue.

Only for pumpout equipment, nothing else.

> Government funds have gone to funding pumpout stations etc. - it
> would make sense for some funding of technology advances in the
> sanitation area. What kind of research could be done with EPA, State,
> or Boat US Foundation Grants:


>
> Examples:
>
> Should holding tanks be pumped dry?

That requires a grant? Otoh, somebody did get one to study why kids
fall off tricyles (conclusion: because they lose their balance)...so why
not? Maybe I'll apply for one...:)

> How does one increase the air flow through the vents of a tank?

Already known.

> Miniaturization of pumps?

They're already about as small as they can be to efficiently handle flow
through 'em at a rate that wouldn't have you pumping for an hour to move
  5 gallons.

> Development of electrosan type units so that the processing unit is
> separate from the holding tank?

Apparently you're not familiar with the Lectra/San and how it works at
all. It already IS separate from any holding tank...it's a flow-through
system that treats and discharges a flush at a time. There are other
Type I and II systems that are designed to be connected to a holding
tank...Galley Maid, HeadHunter, the Groco ThermoPure are just few.

> Air ventilation pumps?

Already on the market...the Groco Sweetank was the first (and still the
best by far), but it has competition.

> Separation of urine and flush water from fecal matter?

Already on the market...take a look at the AirHead--which is a
dessicator--and composting toilets. However, they still leave you with
the issue of what to do with the urine. It has to be drained off, or the
solids won't compost, they'll just rot and stink...and you can't legally
pour just urine overboard inside the "3 mile limit," so you have to
store it aboard--either in jugs or a tank--and either carry 'em off the
boat or have the tank pumped out. So I don't see much advantage to 'em.

Re tank venting...

> This is sort of black art (pardon the pun) - really, what is the
> scientific principle that results in air flow. You need a pressure
> differential. I do no understand how this is effective without a fan.
> What about a solar fan?
> How much air flow is needed - per minute, per day, per gallon, per
> gallon per minute? How much oxygen is required?

There are no "one size fits all"/"cookie cutter" answers to those
questions...it depends on the tank location, size of the
tank--especially the depth, length and diameter of the vent line,
lcation of the vent thru-hull...

> Lectra/San is $999 at West and I still need a holding tank and a salf
> feed system at $400.

You're shopping at the wrong store..WM's prices are the highest in the
country! You can beat their price by at least $200 if you shop hard. The
PuraSan, which doesn't need salt, can be found for under $700.

> Sweetank is $250.
> Shipping a tank from UK is maybe $125 if that much.

Plus the cost of the tank. And don't forget the tank level monitor. CG
regs require some means of determining when the tank is at least 3/4
full. If the tank is readily accessible for visual inspection, no gauge
is needed...but if it's not (which is unlikely under a v-berth), you'll
need one.

> Anway, the Lectra/San is 13.5 inch high due to its inflexible design
> which has not changed in years and years.

Actually it has been, internally, several times...and the new Electro
Scan is a completely new design.

There's a LOT more R&D going on in the marine sanitation industry than
you think there is, Alan...none of it gov't funded either. But there are
limitations to what's possible. Some of your expectation are tantamount
to expecting an engine mfr to develop a 40 hp diesel that'll fit in a
shoebox. If you do a little homework, you'll learn that there are good
reasons why pumps, y-valves, etc are the sizes they are.

--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://www.seaworthy.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=40&cat=6&page=1
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/books/detail-books.htm?fno=0&sku=90&cat=1304


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Received on Tue Jan 03 21:40:08 2006