By

CDO/HYB
Onboard Treatment of Human Waste in Indian Railways
Lifeline to the nation .
2
Worlds largest mobile toilet
The Indian Railways
Indian Railways
Worlds largest
rail network
115000 km
Runs 10000 trains
daily
20 million
passengers travel
by train every day
59713 passenger
coaches

About Indian Railways
Indian Railways is one of the world's largest railway networks
comprising 115,000 km (71,000 mi) of track over a route of 65,000 km
(40,000 mi) and 7,500 stations. It is transporting over 20 million
passengers daily.
In 2011, IR carried over 8,900 million passengers or more than 24
million passengers daily (roughly half of which were suburban
passengers) Indian Railways runs about 10,000 trains daily.
The letter that lead to introduction of toilets in Indian
railways
Beloved Sir, I am arrive by passenger train Ahmedpur station and
my belly is too much swelling with jackfruit. I am therefore went to
privy. Just I doing the nuisance that guard making whistle blow for
train to go off and I am running with lotah in one hand and dhoti
in the next when I am fall over and expose all my shocking to man
and female women on platform. I am got leaved at Ahmedpur
station.
This too much bad, if passenger go to make dung that dam guard
not wait train five minutes for him. I am therefore pray your honor
to make big fine on that guard for public sake. Otherwise I am
making big report to papers.
Introduction of toilets in trains
Critical amenity to passengers.
Needs continuous supply of adequate water.
Creates unhygienic environment if not maintained.
Involves many other items maintenance.
Leading to unhygienic track & stations.
Splashing on to bogie & brake gear on run.
Introduction of Controlled Discharge Toilet System
Toilets currently used in passenger coaches of Indian Railway are
of flush type, in which human waste is discharged directly on the
tracks. Nearly 24 million passengers daily travel in trains (roughly
half of which were suburban passengers). This makes the
ecosystem unhygienic, besides resulting in corrosion of track
fittings and unhygienic working in pitlines & station premises.
Introduction of Environment Friendly Toilet Systems
To over come this problem, introduction of various types of
environment friendly green toilet systems are thought off. By use
of such toilets, we aimed to have no human waste on railway
tracks, cleaner & greener station premises and work areas.
Initially with the experience gained from European Railways,
Control discharge toilets are introduced.
Introduction of Controlled Discharge Toilet System
Controlled Discharge Toilet System (CDTS) discharges
waste on the run only when the train attains a speed of 30
KMPH. Discharge takes place away from the station, helping
to keep the stations clean. 5300 CDTS were installed in 1900
coaches approximately out of more than 40000 coaches used
regularly for passenger commutation over IR.
Introduction of Controlled Discharge Toilet System
Toilet system is one of the most essential passenger amenities,
especially in the long distance passenger travel, keeping the
population of coaches in view, IR has to operate approximately
1,60,000 toilets, round the clock.
Coaches moving at a speed of 100 KMPH plus, with drastic space
constraints and demanding user profile.
Introduction of Controlled Discharge Toilet System
Developing suitable technologies for IRs conditions is
posing its own problems due to typical operating
constraints such as need for universal interoperability of
coaches with in a type and peculiar toilet habits of users
such as excessive use of water and use of toilets as dust
bin, frequently failure of components.
Introduction
Of
Bio-Toilets
Introduction of Bio-Toilets
An action plan involving a multi-prolonged strategy for
development of green toilets was evolved in Jan -2010, including
singing of Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU) with Defense
Research and Development Organization (DRDO) so that DRDO
bio technologists and Indian Railways Mechanical Engineers
could work together to take care of problems faced during the
trails.
Introduction of Bio-Toilets
A joint working group consisting of IR Engineers and DRDO
biotechnologists for joint development of technology using DRDE bio
digester for toilet system on coaches of Indian Railways was formed in
March 2010.
Four design variants with anaerobic process were jointly developed by
IR & DRDO.
Difference of "aerobic" and "anaerobic" process
Strictly speaking, the terms "aerobic" and
"anaerobic" refer to the presence and absence
of oxygen, respectively.
AEROBIC Vs. ANAEROBIC
Aerobic biodegradation Anaerobic biodegradation
Forced aeration/ agitation is essential and is
energy intensive
No aeration is required

Incomplete aeration (partial aerobic condition)
leads to foul smell
Complete anaerobic conditions
Not effective in pathogen inactivation More than 99% Pathogens inactivation
Can not tolerate detergents/ phenyl Anaerobes can even degrade detergents/ phenyl
Generates large amount of sludge Sludge generation is very less
Repeated addition of bacteria/ enzyme is
required for the process
One time bacterial inoculation is enough
Maintenance & recurring cost is high Minimal maintenance & no recurring cost
16
Introduction of Bio-Toilets
The bio-toilets, developed by Defense Research and Development
Organisation, all stainless costing Rs.6 lakhs.
To fulfill its commitment of providing hygienic environment to
passengers, Indian Railways has expedited the work of fitting bio-
toilets in train coaches. In the first four months of the current year,
the railways have fitted 2,285 bio-toilets, which is much more than
the entire number of bio-toilets fitted in the past three years. At
present, the Indian railways are running 1,400 coaches with 3,800
bio-toilets in its various trains. The railways have fitted 2,285 bio-
toilets in passenger coaches from April'13 to July'13.
Environment Friendly Toilet System
Benefits of green toilets
Environment friendly
Preventing damages to tracks due to corrosion
Improved aesthetic at Railway stations
Require less maintenance
Simple in design
Easier Retro fitment on existing coaches
Can be in operation upto years together
Objectives of Bio-toilet system
Design Parameters of Bio-toilets
Working of Biological toilet system ( Anaerobic )
Human Waste
Anaerobic bacteria
( Liquid bacteria )
Liquid Waste
Chlorination
Disinfected liquid
Discharged to track
CO
2
+ Methane gases
released to atmosphere
Different variants
Variant 1
PLC, flapper valve with pneumatics and electrics
Variant 2
Manual Slider no pneumatics and electrics
Variant 3
Smaller dia- no valave no pneumatics and electrics
Variant 4
Flapper valve with Liquid Solid separator;
No pneumatics and electrics
Can be operated manually from inside the lavatory

Brief about bacteria Anaerobic
Anaerobic Bacteria
Can double its population with in 06-08 hrs
De-composes matter into liquid and gases
Can be kept for two-three months at ambient temperature in
bio-digester tank
Can withstand sub-zero temperature upto 60 degree
centigrade
Inside processing is not effected by cold atmosphere, as
anaerobic process is exothermic in nature, heat will be available
inside the chamber of chemical process.
Construction features of Bio tanks
Tanks are made of stainless
steel
Size of the tank is
540x1150x720 mm
Provision of 04 Nos mounting
brackets at both the sides
Each bracket is provided with
02nos of M16 bolts. The tank
is secured with mounting (J)
brackets.
Mounting
Brackets
Main parts of the Bio digester tank
Stainless steel tank with 06 partition walls
1
5
2
3
4
6
Chlorine Chamber
Main parts of the Bio digester tank
Colonized rubber mats for nesting of bacteria
Main parts of the Bio digester tank
Ball valve for direct discharge in case of chocking.
Main parts of the Bio digester tank
SS fasteners in place of MS on tank covers
Main parts of the Bio digester tank
Stronger bonding of Colonized rubber mat with vertical walls
Flow of Inoculum/Fluids
Flow of fluids in Bio-toilets
Guidelines for handling of Bacteria
1. Wear gloves while handling bacterial culture
2. Store bacterial culture in containers with lid which can be
closed
3. During transportation lids should be tightly closed
4. During storage, lids should be kept loose, so that the gas
generated inside the container can escape easily otherwise
container will get damaged physically.
5. Do not mix detergents/acids with bacteria at any stage
during use
6. Toilets fitted with bio-digesters/ bio toilets should
preferably be cleaned by pressurized water cleaning
system so as to minimize the water usage.
7. Clean/ sanitize hands with detergents/ soaps after handling
of the bacteria.
Guidelines for handling of Bacteria-(contd..)
Recommended Machines for Mechanized Cleaning
Recommended machines for MCC
1. Portable type high pressure jet machine.
2. Portable type single disc mini scrubber & scrubber
drier.
3. Portable type Wet & Dry vacuum cleaner.
4. Buffing machine.
Requirements for Cleaning Agents
All the cleaning agents used shall be bio-degradable
Should be phosphate free
Should not be a combustible liquid.
Should be preferably have near neutral PH value in used
dilution
Should have soothing fragrance & smell
Recommended Cleaning Agents(Contd)
S. No Location Name of Chemicals used
1 PVC Floor Cleaning
Spiral ( Johnson Diversey) or Sigla Neutral of
Eco Lab
2.
Ceramic Toilet fittings
Cleaning
Taski R1/Taski R6 ( Johnson Diversey) or Sigla
Neutral of Eco Lab
3.
Cleaning agent for
commode pan & wall
protector
Harpic / Retoil / Domex
4 Glass Cleaning
Taski R3 (Johnson Diversey) or OC glass
cleaner of ECO lab or Collin
Recommended Cleaning Agents(Contd)
S. No Location Name of Chemicals used
5
Laminated plastic sheet
& berth cleaner
Taski R7 ( Johnson Diversey ) or OC Neutral
cleaner of eco lab or Collin or similar.
6 Painted Surface
Spiral ( Johnson Diversey ) or absorb it of eco lab
or Collin or similar.
7 Stainless steel polisher
Suma Inox ( Johnson Diversey) or Chromol of Eco
Lab or Collin or similar.
8 Disinfectant
Brands stride ( Johnson Diversey ) or Antiback of
Eco Lab or Collin or Lizol or Similar
Testing of Effluent Discharge
1. Every quarter, the sample collected in the bottle shall be
transported to lab within 24 hours
2. Samples will be collected randomly from lot of 5% coaches of
the total coach holding but minimum one coach of each type
during the trial period
3. If the samples do not meet requirements, test to be repeated
after taking necessary corrective actions within a fortnight .
4. Consolidated trial report shall be sent by monitoring railway to
RDSO at the end of prescribed trial period
Summary of Tests for Bio toilet of Effluent
S.
No
Description Periodicity Target Testing Spot
1 pH value test 90 Days 6-9pH
Rly / Govt
Approved Lab
2 Total Solids (TS) test 90 Days
< 750 mg /
100ml
Rly / Govt
Approved Lab
3 Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Test 90 Days
< 350 mg /
100ml
Rly / Govt
Approved Lab
4 Total Volatile Solids (TVS) Test 90 Days
<500 mg /
100ml
Rly / Govt
Approved Lab
5
Chemical Oxygen Demand
( COD) Test
90 Days
<2000 mg
O
2
/Liter
DRDE/ Govt.
approved Labs.
6 Fecal Coli Forms Count 90 Days
99%
reduction
(<10
8
/100ml)
Rly / Govt
Approved Lab

Maintenance
of
Bio-Toilets
Preventive Maintenance Schedules
Maintenance Schedules in Depots (As per AOMC document)
Type of Schedule Periodicity
I. Trip Schedule At the end of each trip or as prescribed
II. Schedule A or Monthly examination 1 Month +/-3 days
III. Schedule B or tri- monthly
examination
3 Months +/-3 days
III. Schedule C or Half yearly
examination
6 Months+/-7 days
IV. Special Schedule As prescribed by each Railway
Preventive Maintenance Schedules
Trip Schedule *
1. Attending the routine complaints received from the
users.
2. Cleaning the toilet and choking to be removed, if any.
3. Checking the complete toilet system for any deficiency
*As per AOMC document
Preventive Maintenance Schedules
Schedule- A /Monthly examination *
1. All works carried out as mentioned in daily schedule.
2. Visual examination of complete toilet system including
under slung equipments.
3. Charging of chlorine tablets and examination of
chlorinator
*As per AOMC document
Preventive Maintenance Schedules
Schedule-B/Quarterly examination *
1. All works to be carried out as mentioned in A- schedule.
2. Collection and transportation of samples from retention tanks to
DRDE, Gwalior or Nominated government accredited lab.
3. Checking of following equipment for repair / replacement for
proper functioning
a. Flapper/Slider/Ball
b. Leaking in piping system, flush system charging
c. Charging of Bio-culture if required
*As per AOMC document
Preventive Maintenance Schedules
Schedule-C/Half Yearly examination *
1. All works to be carried out as mentioned in B- schedule.
2. Testing of all toilet system
3. Tightening of all nuts and bolts for proper securing of tanks
4. Drawing and delivering of samples for six monthly tests to Govt.
labs
5. Charging of Bio-culture if required based on Test reports
*As per AMC document
Constraints of Bio-toilet maintenance
No effective aerobic bio-processing of collected waste
over-flow of un-processed waste on tracks and in
coaching depot.
Unacceptable design of collecting and cleaning non-
bio-degradable wastes which results in very unhygienic
condition of spilling of huge amount of collected waste
in washing line.
Poor manufacturing quality of tank which results in
leakages of collected waste from joints.
No System of periodic evacuation of concentrated
waste in situ.
Choking of the toilet pans by foreign objects.
Poor quality of flushing system and defective
flushing valves.
Expensive, as the system cannot perform without
AMOC, as pointed out by Northern Railway.

Tools to be carried
The operator should carry the following tools for maintenance
of Bio-toilets:
i. Bottle picker.
ii. Polythene bag.
iii. Spanner.
iv. Pedals of different companies both LH and RH.
v. Hand gloves.
vi. Nose mask.
vii. Torch light.

Maintenance of Bio tanks
On arrival of the train, jammed toilets to be identified and
released on platforms, by operating ball valve.
If jam still persists or ball valve does not operate, the block
shall be cleared with the help of bottle picker.


Maintenance of Bio tanks
All pedals shall be operated for ensuring proper functioning
of opening and closing of ball valve on maintenance.
Gear Box of Bio-toilets
Drawing of Gear box of Bio toilet
Maintenance of Bio tanks
Please note that dry commode without water seal emits foul
smell.
Maintenance of Bio tanks
By operating push cock, focus the torch light on the commode
and ensure the water withstanding above the ball valve.
Water level
Maintenance of Bio tanks
Ensure availability of stickers and dustbins in Bio toilets.
Dust bin shall be emptied as frequently as possible.
Maintenance of Bio tanks
During the rake maintenance, inspect mounting brackets for
any weld failures or cracks in the supporting members.

Maintenance of Bio tanks
Check wire ropes of Bio-digester tanks for splintering.
Maintenance of Bio tanks
Check bellow in between P-trap and commode chute and if any
leakage is found the same to be attended by silicon sealant. If the
bellow is pierced, the same needs to be changed.

Maintenance of Bio tanks
Check sampling port cocks for missing/theft of Bio-
digester tank.
Maintenance of Bio tanks
Ensure and maintain register with serial number printed on Bio-
digester tank .
HYB 07 13 002
Depot Month Year
Serial no. of tank fitted in
that month
Maintenance of Bio tanks
Ensure intactness of fasteners of Bio-digester tank.
Improvements Done
Thank You