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Theor of composting toilets
There are 4 factors that affect the efficiency of a
composting toilet:
Moisture
In optimum con itions, the composting material has the
consistency of a well-wrung sponge – about 45% to 70%
moisture. When below 45%, there is not sufficient
moisture for the microorganisms to function, an above
70%, saturate con itions begin to evelop, an oxygen
epletion becomes a limiting factor.
Maintaining moisture
Since the BTS 33 oes not have a heater, the
moisture content nee s to be maintaine by
proper ventilation, a ition of proper mulch, an
a goo flow from the rain tube.
Temperature
The typical temperature range for most composting
toilets is 68°F to 112°F. Lower temperatures result in
a mol ering process that takes a significantly longer
perio of time to compost an therefore requires a
much larger composting chamber.
Maintaining temperature
Since the BTS 33 oes not have a heater, the
temperature nee s to be maintaine by
maintaining ambient room temperature an by
the natural heat generate uring the
composting process. Therefore, ambient room
temperature of at least 64°F nee s to be
maintaine uring perio s while the toilet is
being use .
Aeration
The aerobic organisms responsible for the
composting process require free atmospheric or
molecular oxygen to survive. Without oxygen, they
will ie an be replace by anaerobic
microorganisms that will slow the composting
process an generate o ors. For composting toilets
to work most effectively, the materials being
composte shoul be unsaturate with liqui s, an
have a loose texture to allow air to circulate freely
within the pile.
Maintaining aeration
Your BTS 33 inclu es a 12V fan an will assist
in aeration. A itionally, maximum aeration can
be achieve by:
1. Keeping the pro uct insi e the composting
chamber in a loamy consistency.
2. Proper installation of the ventilation pipe. Keep
in min that the a ition of any angles in the
vent pipe will re uce the airflow.
3. Ensure a goo flow of air to the bathroom from
the living area.
4. Make sure there are no other air rawing
appliances; e.g. furnace nearby. They woul
interfere with the air flow.
Carbon to Nitrogen ratio (C:N)
Microorganisms require igestible carbon as an
energy source for growth, an nitrogen an other
nutrients for protein synthesis. When measure on
a ry weight basis, an optimum C:N ratio for aerobic
bacteria is about 25:1.
Maintaining C:N
A small han ful of starter mulch per person per
ay or approximately 1 quart per person every
week is a goo rule of thumb to maintain a
helpful C:N ratio, absorb excess moisture, an
maintain pores in the composting material.
Use and Care
To ensure that your BTS 33 will operate at its peak
potential an that the en pro uct (calle Humus)
will be hygienically safe to han le an to recycle on
your property, pay close attention to the following
irections.
Precautions
• Always observe goo biohazar safety
practices when working on the BTS 33.
Wear goggles, isposable rubber gloves an
clothing to prevent contact with unprocesse
human excrement. Unprocesse human
excrement contains potentially angerous
human pathogens, which may cause illness.
• NEVER put cigarettes or ot er burning or
glowing materials into your BTS 33!
• Do not put sanitary napkins, foo scraps, or
animal excrement in your BTS 33. Your BTS
33 is inten e for the isposal of human
urine, fecal matter an toilet paper ONLY.
Intro uction of other materials may hin er
the composting process or ecrease the
capacity of your toilet
Adding starter mulc
It is very important to a starter mulch to your toilet
on a regular basis in or er to promote aeration, a
carbon an to improve the compost's ability to
absorb liqui . During regular operation a a
minimum of 1 quart of starter mulch per week per
person. Therefore, one shoul make it a habit to a
about 1/2 cup of starter material after each fecal
use.
Approve mulches
Use of only BioLet Toilet Systems approve
starter mulches is recommen e . Approve
