This website is currently undergoing final updates. Some information may change as updates are completed.
This website is currently undergoing final updates. Some information may change as updates are completed.
Anusha Singh obtained her BScEng(Chem) and MScEng(Chem) from the former University of Durban-Westville. She is currently a lecturer and Programme Co-ordinator for the Discipline of Chemical Engineering at UKZN. She is a registered Professional Engineer.
She has extensive lecturing experience across many subjects in Chemical Engineering. Her special interests are Heat and Mass transfer and Engineering Education. She is currently involved in a project investigating the changes need to be made to the Engineering curriculum so that UKZN graduates are equipped for the changing workplace as a result of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Project title: Drying of Sanitation Sludges
Project description:
In developing countries, Ventilated Improved Pit latrines (VIPs) are amongst the most commonly used facilities. VIPs are the lowest acceptable form of sanitation in South Africa. However, once the pits get full, they need to be emptied and the sludge needs to be disposed of. The sludge cannot be dumped into landfills, waste water treatment works or an aquatic environment. Hence other means of disposing of the sludge need to be investigated. If the sludge is dried and pasteurised, it may find use elsewhere, and hence solve the problem of sludge disposal.
There are not many rigorous studies on the drying of faecal sludge. It must be noted that it is not just the removal of moisture by drying that is important, but also the pasteurisation of the sludge so that there is no risk of the dried sludge harbouring pathogens. This project aims to understand the drying process in the faecal matter and to optimise the drying of the sludge such that sufficient moisture is removed and to ensure pasteurization of the sludge.
Starting date: 2017
Supervisor: Dr J. Pocock
Co-Supervisor: Dr S. Septien
Septien, S., Singh, A., Mirara, S.W., Teba, L., Velkushanova, K., Buckley, C.A. (2018) ‘LaDePa process for the drying and pasteurisation of faecal sludge from VIP latrines using infrared radiation. South African Journal of Chemical Engineering, 24 (2018): 147 – 158
Septien, S., Mugauri, T., Singh, A., Inambao, F. (2018). Solar drying of faecal sludge from on-site sanitation facilities. SASEC 2018 ISBN 978-0-7972-1765-2.
Exploration of the use of solar thermal energy for faecal sludge drying. Paper presented at BIE 15th Biennial Conference: Gaborone, Botswana
Septien, S., Singh, A., Mirara, S.W., Teba, L., Velkushanova, K., Buckley, C. Overview of ‘LaDePa’ process, for the Drying and Pasteurisation of Faecal Sludge from VIP latrines by the means of IR radiation YWP – IWA proceedings, 2015
