An update - we are in discussions with Esther and her group to see if the Excluder attached to a vacuum truck could be useful for their project. Thank you to the SuSanA forum for connecting people!

-Francis

That is right Tom.

I have just come across a new post about the Excluder. Looks like there is some new information and progress by the developers and I remembered this post. 

See Here: forum.susana.org/99-faecal-sludge-transp...rash-exclusion#32615

Regards,
Chaiwe

Hi Esther,

It sounds like you're describing the product that the Flexcravator evolved into...the Excluder: www.flexcrevator.com/the-solution

Cheers!
Tom

Dear Chaiwe,

Thank you so much! The Flex-X remains the most interesting one, I am going to look into it further. I wonder how far they are now. 

Thank you again!

Regards,

Esther

Dear Esther,

I am happy to help. I am aware of a number of posts about different sludge pumping technologies that have been shared on the forum and even some publications within the library. 

See below a few that i could extract:

POSTS:
Peddle Gulper:
forum.susana.org/99-faecal-sludge-transp...tion-malawi?start=12 
Manual Gulper, Evac/pvac, Flexcravator:
1. forum.susana.org/99-faecal-sludge-transp...tter-valves?start=12 
2. forum.susana.org/251-pit-latrines-e-g-si...question-from-zambia 3. forum.susana.org/99-faecal-sludge-transp...th-small-vacuum-pump
4. forum.susana.org/99-faecal-sludge-transp...hnology-flexcrevator
Omni Pump:
forum.susana.org/99-faecal-sludge-transp...ump-testing-partners

PUBLICATIONS:
VLOM Pump: www.susana.org/en/knowledge-hub/resource...library/details/4146
Evac/pvac: www.susana.org/_resources/documents/defa...815363.%20et%20alpdf

Within the discussions, you will be able to find some references to trash excluding systems. The Flex-X does have a turning Alger that excludes trash. It is attached to the Flexcravator or any other pumping system. What i do know for sure is that it has since been modified a few times since i last saw it in action in 2017 in person in Zambia and a name change as well. The technology is developed by a team of experts from North Carolina State University who are also on this forum and have engaged in some of the discussions in the links above.

Regards,
Chaiwe

Dear Forum,

I am in need of help, I remember when I just started my new job last year Feb 2020, I found a post including a video about a tube which was used to suck up sludge. What made the tube special is that it had a special head enabling suction even though there was rubbish (plastic bags) in the sludge. If I remember correctly the special head separated rubbish (plastic bags) from sludge. I have been looking everywhere for this post, I found the following:
www.flexcrevator.com  
www.elastec.com/products/vacuum-systems/minivac/  

But these are devices, and I remember specifically that this was a special (turning) head, not a device. As I mentioned I looked everywhere, since I forwarded the link to my colleague. I checked my entire mail and whatsapp several times. Also the Susana forum, but I can’t find it. I have lost hope that I will be able to find it and now I am hoping that maybe, the story rings a bell to someone on the Susana forum as a final resort.

Kind regards,

Esther