the living machine
DESCRIPTION
The Living Machine. Nita Ganguly and James Littrell. http://www.aiatopten.org/hpb/overview.cfm?ProjectID=18. http://www.toddecological.com/wastewatertreatment.html. Step 1. Sewage flows into a solar greenhouse Outdoor site that filled with rows of large open tanks - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The Living MachineThe Living Machine
Nita Ganguly and James LittrellNita Ganguly and James Littrell
http://www.aiatopten.org/hpb/overview.cfm?ProjectID=18
http://www.toddecological.com/wastewatertreatment.html
Step 1Step 1 Sewage flows into a solar greenhouse Sewage flows into a solar greenhouse
Outdoor site that filled with rows of large open Outdoor site that filled with rows of large open tankstanks tanks are populated by a complex series of tanks are populated by a complex series of
organismsorganisms first tank holds aquatic plants (ex: water hyacinths, first tank holds aquatic plants (ex: water hyacinths,
cattails, and bulrushes)cattails, and bulrushes) These organisms take up the nutrients produced These organisms take up the nutrients produced
when algae & microorganisms decompose organic when algae & microorganisms decompose organic wastes.wastes.
After the waterwater flows through a number of these natural purification tanks…
http://www.enviroeducation.com/interviews/john-todd/
Step 2Step 2
It passes through an artificial marsh of It passes through an artificial marsh of sand, gravel, and bulrush plants whichsand, gravel, and bulrush plants which filters out the algae and any remaining filters out the algae and any remaining
organic waste.organic waste.absorbs toxic metals (ex: lead, mercury)absorbs toxic metals (ex: lead, mercury)secretes natural antibiotic compounds that kill secretes natural antibiotic compounds that kill
pathogens.pathogens.
Step the 3rdStep the 3rd
HH22O flows into engineered ecosystems in O flows into engineered ecosystems in
aquarium tanksaquarium tanksSnails & zooplankton consume Snails & zooplankton consume
microorganisms in water…microorganisms in water………and in turn are eaten by crayfish, tilapia & and in turn are eaten by crayfish, tilapia &
variety of fish that can be eaten or used as variety of fish that can be eaten or used as baitbait
Finally!Finally!
After 10 days HAfter 10 days H22O is clearO is clearFlows through 2Flows through 2ndnd artificial marsh for final artificial marsh for final
filtering & cleansing.filtering & cleansing.
HH22O made drinkable by passing throughO made drinkable by passing through ultraviolet lightultraviolet light ozone generatorozone generator
Usually hidden out of sight in attractive pond or Usually hidden out of sight in attractive pond or wetland habitat.wetland habitat.
General Info.General Info.
Invented by John ToddInvented by John Todd Company called Living Company called Living
Technologies Technologies
16 have been installed 16 have been installed in U.S. & 8 other in U.S. & 8 other countriescountries
TreatTreat Municipal wasteMunicipal waste Industrial wasteIndustrial waste
http://www.enviroeducation.com/interviews/john-todd/
Success!Success!
Largest system built for plant in AustraliaLargest system built for plant in AustraliaHandles 100,000 gallons of waste per day Handles 100,000 gallons of waste per day
•Vermont: Muncipal Sewage Treatment Plant a greenhouse where sewage from 1,600 residences is treated to a level of cleanliness surpassing federal EPA requirements.
Main GoalMain Goal
Use a “Natural Systems” approach to treat Use a “Natural Systems” approach to treat wastewater to advanced treatment wastewater to advanced treatment standards standards
Comparison To ConventionalComparison To Conventional
Sludge ProductionSludge ProductionEnvironmentally Harmful ChemicalsEnvironmentally Harmful ChemicalsColloidal materials and fine suspended Colloidal materials and fine suspended
solids solids Capital and Energy Intensive Capital and Energy Intensive
Advantages and DisadvantagesAdvantages and Disadvantages Chemical-, odor-, andChemical-, odor-, andnoise-freenoise-free Small ecologicalSmall ecologicalfootprint*footprint* Aesthetically pleasingAesthetically pleasing Relatively low costs*Relatively low costs* Little maintenance*Little maintenance* Micro-finance options for Micro-finance options for
developing communtiesdeveloping communties
•Can attractinsects/rodents•Need to tailor to sitelocation
ObstaclesObstacles
Places for sunlightPlaces for sunlight Area for facilityArea for facility Skilled BiologistsSkilled Biologists
Negative Environmental ImpactsNegative Environmental Impacts
There really are no negative There really are no negative environmental impactenvironmental impact
Natural BalanceNatural BalanceBiomass WasteBiomass Waste
Overall PotentialOverall PotentialThe Overall ScaleThe Overall ScaleEconomic ComparisonsEconomic Comparisons
BibliographyBibliography
Miller, G. Tyler. Miller, G. Tyler. Living in the EnvironmentLiving in the Environment. 13. . 13. Canada: Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2004.Canada: Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2004.
http://www.time.com/time/reports/environment/http://www.time.com/time/reports/environment/heroes/heroesgallery/0,2967,todd,00.htmlheroes/heroesgallery/0,2967,todd,00.html
http://www.enviroeducation.com/interviews/john-todd/http://www.enviroeducation.com/interviews/john-todd/ http://www.context.org/ICLIB/IC35/Guterson.htmhttp://www.context.org/ICLIB/IC35/Guterson.htm http://www.aiatopten.org/hpb/overview.cfm?http://www.aiatopten.org/hpb/overview.cfm?
ProjectID=18ProjectID=18 http://www.livingdesignsgroup.com/systemshttp://www.livingdesignsgroup.com/systems//