Nutrient Valorization from Urine in Nepal (STUN)
The STUN project, in cooperation with UN-HABITAT Nepal, examines various possibilities to recover nutrients from source-separated urine. By producing fertilizer from urine, we hope to promote improved sanitation, local food security, and nutrient independence, as Nepal must import all of its fertilizer at prices which are not always affordable for subsistence farmers. Watch the STUN movie [mp4] (5 min.)
Direct application of urine
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Urine can be applied directly to crops. To avoid over-application of
nutrients, leading to burning of the leaves, urine can be diluted with
water in a ratio of 1:3.
Press coverage:
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Struvite precipitation from urine
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Struvite (MAP or magnesium ammonium phosphate: MgNH4PO4·6H2O) is a safe,
bio-available fertilizer, which can be precipitated from urine by
adding magnesium.
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Drip irrigation cum urine fertilization = fertigation
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When urine is applied to the field using a bucket or similar, ammonium is lost. To prevent this, urine or struvite process effluent can be applied with drip irrigation; the liquid flows through a set of hoses, no nutrients are lost on the way.
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Aquatic plants fertilized with urine
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Urine can be used to fertilize aquatic plants, such as Azolla or Lemna (Duckweed). These plants are rich in proteins and can be used as animal feed. The plants recover nutrients from the urine or struvite process effluent.
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Nitrogen elimination with rotating discs
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Ammonium in wastewater (e.g. urine) has a negative impact on streams, lakes and groundwater. Biological
processes can be used to transform ammonia into less harmful nitrate or to
remove ammonia completely.
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Microbiological risk assessment in urine treatment
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In
certain conditions, urine may be contaminated by bacteria or viruses.
To minimize the risks for urine harvestors and urine managers,
microbiological studies examine the pathway of pathogens through the
process.
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Acknowledgement
The STUN team would like to thank the Symphasis Foundation for the generous financial support.
