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- Is there an enzyme or bacteria that can be manufactured or used to digest sludge?
Is there an enzyme or bacteria that can be manufactured or used to digest sludge?
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- AjitSeshadri
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- Marine Chief Engineer by profession (1971- present) and at present Faculty in Marine Engg. Deptt. Vels University, Chennai, India. Also proficient in giving Environmental solutions , Designation- Prof. Ajit Seshadri, Head- Environment, The Vigyan Vijay Foundation, NGO, New Delhi, INDIA , Consultant located at present at Chennai, India
Re: Is there an enzyme or bacteria that can be manufactured or used to digest sludge?

Pawan Sir.
We agree. Will deep study and give my comments.
Well wishes
Prof Ajit seshadri
The Vigyan Vijay Foundation
We agree. Will deep study and give my comments.
Well wishes
Prof Ajit seshadri
The Vigyan Vijay Foundation
Prof. Ajit Seshadri, Faculty in Marine Engg. Deptt. Vels University, and
Head-Environment , VigyanVijay Foundation, Consultant (Water shed Mngmnt, WWT, WASH, others)Located at present at Chennai, India
Head-Environment , VigyanVijay Foundation, Consultant (Water shed Mngmnt, WWT, WASH, others)Located at present at Chennai, India
Re: Is there an enzyme or bacteria that can be manufactured or used to digest sludge?
Dear Kevin and All
I have studied several such bacterial cultures available in market, claiming to reduce significantly organic matters in pit toilets/septic tanks etc but could not get any culture as per the claims.
I would like to know -(i) what do you mean by industrial application? What type of industrial wastes you used with your culture and (ii) what is the technical explanation of reduction of coliform by using your cuture.
Best regards
Pawan
I have studied several such bacterial cultures available in market, claiming to reduce significantly organic matters in pit toilets/septic tanks etc but could not get any culture as per the claims.
I would like to know -(i) what do you mean by industrial application? What type of industrial wastes you used with your culture and (ii) what is the technical explanation of reduction of coliform by using your cuture.
Best regards
Pawan
Pawan Jha
Chairman
Foundation for Environment and Sanitation
Mahavir Enclave
New Delhi 110045, India
Web: www.foundation4es.org
Linked: linkedin.com/in/drpkjha
Chairman
Foundation for Environment and Sanitation
Mahavir Enclave
New Delhi 110045, India
Web: www.foundation4es.org
Linked: linkedin.com/in/drpkjha
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- DrKevin
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Re: Is there an enzyme or bacteria that can be manufactured or used to digest sludge?
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- DrKevin
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Re: Is there an enzyme or bacteria that can be manufactured or used to digest sludge?
"Hello,
I concur with what Elisabeth says: there are no enzymes that actually "digest" sludge. And many marketers will try to tell you otherwise.
But I would add that there are specific bacteria that can colonize that do have better abilities to convert sludge solids into gas; although hard to establish thermophilic bacteria can reduce your sludge volumes -- they need high temperatures (obviously) and lots of time exposed to fresh sludge; mesophilic bacteria may be more robust and easier to establish, but don't reduce sludge to the same levels as their thermophilic peers. Again, establishing these efficient colonies and keeping them thriving is a challenge.
Good luck
Jill"
This is simply not true. We are working with Bacillus/enzyme blends that effectively digest/liquify sludge in a large variety of applications ranging from industrial farming, sewage treatment works, septic tanks, and pit toilets. We have applications showing in industrial farming application, sludge results lowered by 70% in a mater of 1 to 2 months.
Not to mention extreme improvements to DO, reduction in COD, reduction in coliform, and also important, extreme reduction in odours.
I am open to talk to anyone about this.
Kind regards
Kevin
I concur with what Elisabeth says: there are no enzymes that actually "digest" sludge. And many marketers will try to tell you otherwise.
But I would add that there are specific bacteria that can colonize that do have better abilities to convert sludge solids into gas; although hard to establish thermophilic bacteria can reduce your sludge volumes -- they need high temperatures (obviously) and lots of time exposed to fresh sludge; mesophilic bacteria may be more robust and easier to establish, but don't reduce sludge to the same levels as their thermophilic peers. Again, establishing these efficient colonies and keeping them thriving is a challenge.
Good luck
Jill"
This is simply not true. We are working with Bacillus/enzyme blends that effectively digest/liquify sludge in a large variety of applications ranging from industrial farming, sewage treatment works, septic tanks, and pit toilets. We have applications showing in industrial farming application, sludge results lowered by 70% in a mater of 1 to 2 months.
Not to mention extreme improvements to DO, reduction in COD, reduction in coliform, and also important, extreme reduction in odours.
I am open to talk to anyone about this.
Kind regards
Kevin
Re: Is there an enzyme or bacteria that can be manufactured or used to digest sludge?
Hello all. Many years ago we trialled a system where we used our separated excreta. If you know us, we only build UDDTs. We were using Bacillus Subtillus in the organic mix, generally wood ash, and we noticed there was less 'compost' in the chamber when we emptied it. To a large concrete container added two tonnes of compost and 1,000 litres of urine and left it. It has to be soaked and not dripped (as shown in the photo) because if the urine is dripped it finds its own channels and not all of the compost is soaked. After two weeks we drained the liquid and it was a very dark colour. We had it tested and it contained more nutrients than the urine alone. We lest the remaining 'sludge' and it was eaten by B Subtillus until there were about ten kgs of inert soil left on the bottom.
We never documented it apart from the test, and I add some photos that I hope are self explantory
We never documented it apart from the test, and I add some photos that I hope are self explantory
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Re: Is there an enzyme or bacteria that can be manufactured or used to digest sludge?

Hi Daniel,
That's correct. Suppliers will try to tell you otherwise but most likely they would be selling you "snake oil", i.e. nothing useful, just expensive. Please read in the posts about in this thread above for more information.
Regards,
Elisabeth
That's correct. Suppliers will try to tell you otherwise but most likely they would be selling you "snake oil", i.e. nothing useful, just expensive. Please read in the posts about in this thread above for more information.
Regards,
Elisabeth
Dr. Elisabeth von Muench
Independent consultant located in Ulm, Germany
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Twitter: @EvMuench
Founder of WikiProject Sanitation: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Sanitation
My Wikipedia user profile: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:EMsmile
Independent consultant located in Ulm, Germany
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Twitter: @EvMuench
Founder of WikiProject Sanitation: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Sanitation
My Wikipedia user profile: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:EMsmile
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- Dantugli
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- Founder and CEO at Alpha Ecotech LTD.
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Re: Is there an enzyme or bacteria that can be manufactured or used to digest sludge?
so there is no additive that at least boosts the activities of microorganisms in the septics to increase digestion of waste?
- VikkiBolam
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Re: Is there an enzyme or bacteria that can be manufactured or used to digest sludge?
I was involved in testing a brand new enzyme concoction which has won prizes and had great results from swine farms in the US and Europe. Major water treatment companies are considering working with this product. However, when we tested it in 30 pits, septic tanks and barrels in Uganda, we couldn't get consistent enough results to launch it as a product. One issue was that even if the sludge was digested, it increased the water volume, and due to the enclosed nature of the pits, the water couldn't evaporate. This meant the volume stayed the same even if some sludge was digested. There is also the issue of lack of pit uniformity; porous/porous walls, etc. which all affected the results we got.
I remember an observation from a report that part of the problem could be enzymes are made for different settings (such as swine farms) and so don't cross over well to the pit environment. If research was carried out on understanding the pit environment in much more depth, and an enzyme engineered to work in that environment, there is the possibility that it could be more successful.
As a word of warning, we tested the best-selling Ugandan additive as well as a control against the new additive.
We were told that the best-selling additive could eat everything in the pits, including plastic garbage (even though it was sold in a plastic container!!). Supposedly it was sourced from Germany. It appeared to be little more than paraffin. Worse, there was growing concern from users that it was causing some pits to collapse.
Good luck finding an alternative solution.
I remember an observation from a report that part of the problem could be enzymes are made for different settings (such as swine farms) and so don't cross over well to the pit environment. If research was carried out on understanding the pit environment in much more depth, and an enzyme engineered to work in that environment, there is the possibility that it could be more successful.
As a word of warning, we tested the best-selling Ugandan additive as well as a control against the new additive.
We were told that the best-selling additive could eat everything in the pits, including plastic garbage (even though it was sold in a plastic container!!). Supposedly it was sourced from Germany. It appeared to be little more than paraffin. Worse, there was growing concern from users that it was causing some pits to collapse.
Good luck finding an alternative solution.
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- JillHass
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- Water & sanitation expert, with 30+ years experience in construction design & implementation management, and specialized in emergency response due to climate change or conflict/violent settings. Previously CTO for technology firm (patents, product development & commercialization); Consulting Engineer in asset management of municipal infrastructure
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Re: Is there an enzyme or bacteria that can be manufactured or used to digest sludge?
Hello,
I concur with what Elisabeth says: there are no enzymes that actually "digest" sludge. And many marketers will try to tell you otherwise.
But I would add that there are specific bacteria that can colonize that do have better abilities to convert sludge solids into gas; although hard to establish thermophilic bacteria can reduce your sludge volumes -- they need high temperatures (obviously) and lots of time exposed to fresh sludge; mesophilic bacteria may be more robust and easier to establish, but don't reduce sludge to the same levels as their thermophilic peers. Again, establishing these efficient colonies and keeping them thriving is a challenge.
Good luck
Jill
I concur with what Elisabeth says: there are no enzymes that actually "digest" sludge. And many marketers will try to tell you otherwise.
But I would add that there are specific bacteria that can colonize that do have better abilities to convert sludge solids into gas; although hard to establish thermophilic bacteria can reduce your sludge volumes -- they need high temperatures (obviously) and lots of time exposed to fresh sludge; mesophilic bacteria may be more robust and easier to establish, but don't reduce sludge to the same levels as their thermophilic peers. Again, establishing these efficient colonies and keeping them thriving is a challenge.
Good luck
Jill
Global Technical Director, WASH
Relief International
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
M: +1 (647) 268-4620
S: j.l.hass
Relief International
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
M: +1 (647) 268-4620
S: j.l.hass
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Re: Is there an enzyme or bacteria that can be manufactured or used to digest sludge?
Hi Tsepo,
I have just posted my response in the older existing thread about this topic, see here:
forum.susana.org/280-faecal-sludge-treat...es-em?start=36#29035
Regards
Pawan
I have just posted my response in the older existing thread about this topic, see here:
forum.susana.org/280-faecal-sludge-treat...es-em?start=36#29035
Regards
Pawan
Pawan Jha
Chairman
Foundation for Environment and Sanitation
Mahavir Enclave
New Delhi 110045, India
Web: www.foundation4es.org
Linked: linkedin.com/in/drpkjha
Chairman
Foundation for Environment and Sanitation
Mahavir Enclave
New Delhi 110045, India
Web: www.foundation4es.org
Linked: linkedin.com/in/drpkjha
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Re: Is there an enzyme or bacteria that can be manufactured or used to digest sludge?

That would be nice but the short answer is "no, there isn't". Many sales people of pit additives will tell you their product can do it, but it's all bogus and snake oil.
I recommend for you to read this previous thread:
forum.susana.org/280-faecal-sludge-treat...l-sludge-includes-em
(45,000 views by the way! not bad)
And also this Wikipedia article:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_additive
To solve your problem you'll have to either look into safe pit emptying and treatment and disposal of faecal sludge, or maybe conversion to toilets that don't produce sludge, like urine diversion dehydration toilets (UDDTs), see here on the forum:
forum.susana.org/34-urine-diversion-syst...-and-ud-flush-toilet
Regards,
Elisabeth
I recommend for you to read this previous thread:
forum.susana.org/280-faecal-sludge-treat...l-sludge-includes-em
(45,000 views by the way! not bad)
And also this Wikipedia article:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_additive
To solve your problem you'll have to either look into safe pit emptying and treatment and disposal of faecal sludge, or maybe conversion to toilets that don't produce sludge, like urine diversion dehydration toilets (UDDTs), see here on the forum:
forum.susana.org/34-urine-diversion-syst...-and-ud-flush-toilet
Regards,
Elisabeth
Dr. Elisabeth von Muench
Independent consultant located in Ulm, Germany
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Twitter: @EvMuench
Founder of WikiProject Sanitation: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Sanitation
My Wikipedia user profile: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:EMsmile
Independent consultant located in Ulm, Germany
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Twitter: @EvMuench
Founder of WikiProject Sanitation: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Sanitation
My Wikipedia user profile: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:EMsmile
- Tsepo
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Is there an enzyme or bacteria that can be manufactured or used to digest sludge?
Good Day
I am based in Lesotho Southern Africa, I would like to know whether there is An enzyme or bacteria that can be manufactured or used to digest the sludge So that it slows the filling up of school pit latrines.
We currently have a problem of land as pit latrines fill up fast and new space or land unavailable
Your assistance highly appreciated
kIND REGARDS TSEPO MACHELA
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
I am based in Lesotho Southern Africa, I would like to know whether there is An enzyme or bacteria that can be manufactured or used to digest the sludge So that it slows the filling up of school pit latrines.
We currently have a problem of land as pit latrines fill up fast and new space or land unavailable
Your assistance highly appreciated
kIND REGARDS TSEPO MACHELA
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
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