Clivusmultrum M12 Composting Toilet System

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Keywords: Waterless toilet

Principles of Operation

Composting is assisted by worms, added 1 year after startup. Toilets are either waterless or foam based and sit directly above the composting unit. The waterless toilets connect to the composting unit directly via a 14” diameter polyethylene shoot. The foam flush toilets have a 4” hole at the bottom of the bowl with opens into the shoot. The foam flush toilets need to be “flushed” before and after each use. Ventilation occurs by drawing air down the shoot, through the composting unit, then up a vent stack. The system includes a compost tea tank and removal pump that allows for the compost tea to be stored and distributed for land applications.

Operating Specifications

Capacity

A single unit is rated for 18,000 to 65,000 uses per year.

Requirements for Operation

Composter Moistening system: 1 gal/day. Works on in house water supply so no additional pump is needed. Solenoid is 120 VAC, 50/60 Hz. There is no heating system. Liquid removal pump - pumps compost tea to storage. Operates ~4 min/day. - 115V AC, 5 Amp, 20.4 gpm. 62Wx105Lx58.5H inches, 132 cubic feet. Wood shavings should be amended into the compost, but these can be procured from local waste sources (cedar should not be used).

Toilet Two toilet options exist; a waterless toilet or a foam flush which requires 0.2 L per flush plus a foaming agent (~185 USD/year). The foam flush requires an electrical connection. Non-potable water can be used. Fan: 115 V, 0.67 amp, 71 W, 60 Hz, 243 cfm, runs continuously.

Compost Tea Tank 500 gallon volume.

Maintenance and Repair

Maintenance Schedule

Frequency	Action	Who Performs?	Time to Complete	Notes
One year after startup	Add worms	User/Operator	-	-
2-3 months	Add bulking material (e.g. pine shavings) and knock down cone/pile below the toilet, rake compost into the "toe" of the unit.	User/Operator	10 minutes
5-7 years (depending on use)	Empty compost from unit	User/Operator	-	-
?	Replace foaming agent	-	Only for foam flush type toilets

Known Failures and Solutions

Problem	Symptom (s)	Fundamental Cause	Solution
Failure of refuse to break down	Increased accumulation of material in the composter	Bulking agents need to be high in carbon, low in nutrients, and rapidly degradable. Naturaly resistant bulking agents (e.g. Cedar) should not be used. Further, adequate air flow is needed to ensure break down.	Check bulking agents and change if needed. Check ventilation system for blockages.

System Variations

Foam flush vs. Non flush varieties of toilets exist.

Instances of the System

Location	Date Installed	Owner/Operator

Versions of the System

Version	Dates of Production	End of Production	Number Produced
(Insert Version)	(State a Date)	(State a Date)	(State a unitless quantity)

Cost Data

Estimated Equipment Price for system: $10,000 for a system with two waterless toilets, or $15,000 for a system with two foam flush toilets. Individually sold, the waterless toilets are $425 per fixture and the foam flush toilets are $2700 per fixture. For the waterless fixture there are no consumables. For the foam flush, $185 per year should be budgeted for the foam producing soap. For either type, wood shavings should be amended into the compost, but these can be procured from local waste sources.

Manufacturer Information

Clivus Malturm, clivusmultrum.com, 800.425.4887, Lawrence, MA