Abstract:
A portable, self-contained toilet is provided that does not require water, and produces its own energy without the need for an external source of power. The toilet includes and external housing for providing protection from environmental elements to components of the toilet and to human users of the toilet. A toilet bowl directs liquid and solid waste into a collection hopper. Once the hopper is full, a turntable or other rotary device is indexed to advance the waste filled hopper to an intermediary position. From there, the hopper is moved onto a burner, where the collected human waste is separated into liquid and solid waste. As a result of heating, the liquid waste turns to steam and is removed from the hopper, collected, filtered and the resulting distilled water stored. The remaining solid bio-fuel may be removed and disposed of or used as needed. Solar panels and batteries provide power to the toilet may be replaced with an alternate energy source providing the same inherent energy requirements to the process.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to portable, self-contained toilets, and specifically relates to a portable, self-contained toilet that does not require water, and produces its own energy without the need for an external source of power. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    An estimated 2.6 billion people—about 40 percent of the world&#39;s population—do not have access to sanitation. In such situations, human waste piles up without access to functioning toilets contaminating drinking and bathing water and spreading disease. Children often suffer the most with 1.5 million dying worldwide each year from poor sanitation. There are substantial obstacles to fixing the problem. In many developing countries, there is no sewer infrastructure and water is scarce. 
         [0003]    Creating sanitation infrastructure and public services that work for everyone, including poor people, and that keep waste out of the environment is a major challenge. The toilets, sewers, and wastewater treatment systems used in the developed world require vast amounts of land, energy, and water—and they are expensive to build and maintain. Existing alternatives that are less expensive are often unappealing because of impractical designs or because they retain odors and attract insects. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Accordingly, there is a need for a toilet that is self-contained, does not require water, is cheap, and produces its own energy without the need for external power. The present invention fulfills this need by providing a portable, self-contained waterless toilet. The toilet according to the present invention does not require an external power source. All liquid waste deposited into the toilet is distilled, filtered and the water is recycled. The solid waste is compacted as a result of the de-watering process and can be removed from the unit and the remaining solid bio-fuel may be used as fertilizer, burned or used in some other way. 
         [0005]    According to one aspect of the present invention, a portable, self-contained waterless toilet includes housing means for providing protection from environmental elements to components of the toilet and to human users of the toilet. Waste collection means are located within the housing means for collecting human waste from a user. Means for separating the human waste collected in the collection means into liquid and solid waste are also provided. In addition the toilet includes means for capturing the separated liquid, means for filtering remaining impurities from the separated liquid, and means for storing the separated, filtered liquid. Finally means for removal of the separated solid waste are also provided. 
         [0006]    According to a further aspect of the invention, the toilet may also include means for controlling the separating means, capturing means, filtering means, storing means and removal means and for initiating the various functions of the toilet. The controlling means may include a smart system controlled by a programmable logic controller. Means for providing power to the waste collection means, separating means, capturing means, filtering means, storing means, removal means and controlling means of the toilet are also provided according to the invention, as well as means for remote monitoring and control of the controlling means. The power means may include one or more batteries electrically connected to and charged by a solar panel array located on the housing. The remote monitoring and control means may include a wireless internet emitter and receiver antenna located on the housing means of the toilet. 
         [0007]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the waste collection means comprises a toilet receptacle having a first opening for receiving human waste directly from a user, and a collection hopper having an opening therein. The collection hopper is moveably positioned such that, in a first position, the opening therein is positioned proximal to a second, outlet opening in the toilet receptacle. Means for transferring said collection hopper between the first position and a second position proximal to the separating means may also be provided according to this aspect of the invention. The transferring means may include one or more pneumatic cylinders positioned adjacent said collection hopper. The transferring means may further include a turntable positioned beneath the collection hopper. The turntable is configured to rotate about a central axis thereof to move the collection hopper from the first position to a third, intermediary position. A second collection hopper may be movably positioned on said turntable opposite said collection hopper such that, when said collection hopper is in the first position, said second collection hopper is in the third, intermediary position. 
         [0008]    Yet a further aspect of the present invention is the configuration of the collection hopper. According to this aspect of the invention, the collection hopper includes a partition wall therein separating a first mixed waste content chamber from a second, liquid content chamber. The partition wall includes a mesh region proximal to a lower edge thereof to permit fluid movement between said first and second chambers. A mesh bio-collection basket may also be removably positioned in the first mixed waste content chamber of the collection hopper. A plurality of support blocks are positioned on a corresponding plurality of inner walls of the first mixed waste content chamber and on said partition wall above said mesh region to support the mesh bio-collection basket. 
         [0009]    According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the waste collection means may include a urine only toilet having a bowl and an opening therein, and a urine holding tank connected to said urine only toilet by tubing. The urine holding tank may further consist of a urine day holding tank connected to the urine only toilet by said tubing, and a urine bulk holding tank connected to said urine day holding tank. Sensors are located within the urine day holding tank for sensing the level of urine therein. A pump located within the urine day holding tank and connected by tubing to the urine bulk holding tank may be provided for pumping urine from the day holding tank to the bulk holding tank. 
         [0010]    According to a further aspect of the present invention, the separating means comprises a burner upon which said collection hopper may be removably positioned. A hopper cover is also provided that may be removably positioned atop the collection hopper when it is positioned atop the burner. A urine inlet pipe having a first end located in the hopper cover and a second end located in the urine bulk holding tank may also be provided. A pump located in the bulk urine holding tank may be actuated by the controlling means to pump urine from the bulk holding tank to the collection hopper positioned above the burner. The separating means may further include one or more steam outlet pipes, each having a first end located in the hopper cover. Each of the one or more steam outlet pipes includes a valve therein that may be opened or closed by the controlling means. The separating means may also include one or more air inlet pipes located in the hopper cover. Each of the one or more air inlet pipes also includes a valve therein that may be opened or closed by said controlling means. 
         [0011]    The capturing means of the present invention may include a steam condensate storage chamber connected to a second end of each of said one or more steam outlet pipes. The filtering means according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes one or more filters having an input connected to the stem condensate storage chamber. The storing means may include a distilled water storage tank connected to an output of said one or more filters. The removal means may be in the form of a hopper access door located in the toilet housing proximal to the burner for removal of a collection hopper after removal and collection of liquid therefrom. 
         [0012]    According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the transferring means comprises a single arm rotary actuator capable of rotation about a central rotary pivot point allowing for movement thereof on an X axis and a Y axis. An electrical motor may be connected to the single arm rotary actuator for imparting motion thereto. The collection hopper according to this embodiment may include a partition wall therein separating a first mixed waste content chamber from a second, liquid content chamber. The partition wall may include a mesh region proximal to a lower edge thereof to permit fluid movement between said first and second chambers. A bottom surface of the first mixed waste content chamber is sloped downwardly toward the partition wall and the second liquid content chamber. 
         [0013]    Yet a further aspect of the invention provides a heat exchanger connected to said one or more air inlet pipes to pre-heat the incoming drying air. An in-tank electrical heating element may further be positioned within the collection hopper such that it is submerged in the liquid contained therein to provide additional distillation. 
         [0014]    These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the text and the drawings of this application. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a side view in elevation of a waterless hygienic toilet according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the waterless hygienic toilet shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a side sectional view of the waterless hygienic toilet shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side view in elevation of a waterless hygienic toilet according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the waterless hygienic toilet shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a side sectional view of the waterless hygienic toilet shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a top cutaway view of the waterless hygienic toilet shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a side cutaway view of the waterless hygienic toilet shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a side cutaway view of the waterless hygienic toilet shown in  FIG. 1 , with the toilet shown in the flush mode. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a side cutaway view of the waterless hygienic toilet shown in  FIG. 1 , shown with the hopper lid raised. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a top cutaway view of the waterless hygienic toilet shown in  FIG. 1 , shown with the hopper in the burn chamber. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a side cutaway view of the waterless hygienic toilet shown in  FIG. 1 , shown with the hopper in the burn chamber. 
           [0027]      FIG. 13 , is a side cutaway view of the waterless hygienic toilet shown in  FIG. 12 , shown with the hopper in the burn chamber and the hopper lid closed. 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a top plan view of a waste collection hopper used in conjunction with the waterless hygienic toilet of  FIGS. 1-6 , according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a rear plan view of the collection hopper shown in  FIG. 14 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  is a side plan view of the collection hopper shown in  FIG. 14 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of the collection hopper shown in  FIG. 15  taken along the line “ 17 ”. 
           [0032]      FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of the collection hopper shown in  FIG. 16  taken along the line “ 18 ”. 
           [0033]      FIG. 19  is a rear cutaway view of the collection hopper shown in  FIG. 14 , shown here with the hopper lid in the closed position. 
           [0034]      FIG. 20  is a side view in elevation of a waterless hygienic toilet according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 21  is a top plan view of the waterless hygienic toilet shown in  FIG. 20 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 22  is an isometric view of the waterless hygienic toilet shown in  FIG. 20 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 23  is a side elevation view of an alternate rotary waste transfer and processing system that is utilized in the alternate preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 20 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 24  is a top plan view of the alternate rotary waste transfer and processing system shown in  FIG. 23 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 25  is an isometric view of the alternate rotary waste transfer and processing system shown in  FIG. 23 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 26  is a side elevation view of an alternate hopper design that is utilized with the alternate rotary waste transfer and processing systems shown in  FIG. 23 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 27  is an overall process schematic for the alternate rotary waste transfer and processing system that is shown in  FIGS. 23-25 . 
       
    
    
     PARTS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           10  waterless hygienic toilet 
           12  housing 
           14  toilet chamber door 
           16  control and battery access door 
           18  compressor and storage tank access door 
           20  burner chamber access door 
           22  water storage and condensation chamber access door 
           24  solar panel array 
           26  wireless internet emitter and receiver antenna 
           28  exhaust piping 
           30  semi-transparent toilet chamber skylight 
           32  toilet chamber exhaust fan 
           34  burn chamber exhaust fan 
           36  main unit control panel 
           38  solar powered batteries 
           40  air compressor 
           42  compressed air storage tanks 
           44  pneumatic control devices 
           46  burner chamber 
           48  burner controls 
           50  distilled water storage tank 
           52  distilled water condensation chamber and filtration 
           54  toilet chamber 
           56  mixed content toilet 
           58  urine only toilet 
           60  urine day holding tank 
           62  urine bulk holding tank 
           64  collection hopper 
           66  turntable 
           68  pneumatic cylinders 
           70  burner 
           72  pneumatic cylinders 
           74  hopper cover 
           76  pneumatic cylinder 
           78  steam condensate storage chamber 
           80  secondary filtration 
           82  hopper access door 
           84  flush component 
           86  mixed content chamber 
           88  urine content chamber 
           90  cylinder push/pull movement blocks 
           92  mesh basket support blocks 
           94  mesh basket 
           96  partition wall 
           98  mesh opening 
           101  hopper cover seal 
           102  steam outlet pipe 
           103  steam outlet pipe 
           104  air inlet pipe 
           105  air inlet pipe 
           106  urine inlet pipe 
           110  waterless hygienic toilet 
           112  housing 
           114  toilet chamber door 
           116  control and battery access door 
           118  compressor and storage tank access door 
           120  burner chamber access door 
           122  water storage and condensation chamber access door 
           124  solar panel array 
           126  wireless internet emitter and receiver antenna 
           128  exhaust piping 
           130  semi-transparent toilet chamber skylight 
           132  toilet chamber exhaust fan 
           134  burn chamber exhaust fan 
           136  main unit control panel 
           138  solar powered batteries 
           140  air compressor 
           142  compressed air storage tanks 
           144  pneumatic control devices 
           146  heat chamber 
           150  distilled water storage tank 
           152  distilled water condensation chamber and filtration 
           156  rotary solid and liquid waste collection and dumping mechanism 
           158  heat exchanger for thermal transfer from steam to drying air and urine from bulk urine tank 
           160  rotating cover for hopper in filling position 
           162  slanted bottom on solid hopper side 
           164  in tank electrical heating elements for liquid distillation 
           166  in tank high and low liquid level sensors 
           168  hopper external tank electrical heating elements 
           170  air inlet from heat exchanger 
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0122]      FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a waterless hygienic toilet  10  according to one presently preferred embodiment of the invention. According to the presently preferred embodiment, the waterless hygienic toilet  10  includes a housing  12  having a toilet chamber door  14  for providing access to an enclosed toilet chamber by a user. Various control components of the toilet are provided along one side thereof. A control and battery access door  16  is provided to access a control panel and batteries located therein. A compressor and storage tank access door  18  is provided for gaining access to those components of the toilet  10 . A burner tank access door  20  is provided for permitting access to burner components. Finally, a water storage and condensation chamber access door  22  is provided to permit access to those components. 
         [0123]    Power for the various components of the toilet  10  is provided by an array of solar panels  24  positioned on the top of the toilet  10 . The solar panel array  24  is the primary power unit for all systems, electric and pneumatic controls for the toilet  10 . A wireless internet emitter and receiver antenna  26  is also provided to allow remote monitoring and control of the various components of the toilet  10 . Utilizing the presently preferred technology, signals can be sent to and received from the toilet via the wireless internet emitter and receiver antenna  26  at a range of up to thirty (30) miles. Exhaust piping  28  is also provided in the top of the toilet cabinet  12  for venting fumes, hot air and the like from the various internal components of the toilet  10 . 
         [0124]    Ambient lighting is provided to the toilet chamber by way of a semi-transparent window  30 , which is preferably located in the top of the toilet cabinet  12 . An exhaust fan  32  may also be positioned in the top of the toilet cabinet in or adjacent to the window  30  for providing ventilation to the toilet chamber. Similarly, an exhaust fan  34  may also be provided, preferably in the top of the toilet cabinet  12  for providing ventilation to the other various working components of the toilet  10 . 
         [0125]    A main control panel  36  is located in the toilet cabinet behind the control and battery access door  16 . The main control panel  36  is a smart system controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC) that can collect data and report to a remote control station via wireless internet connection through the wireless internet emitter and receiver antenna  26 . The control panel  36  is used to initiate the various functions of the toilet  10 . A number of batteries  38  are also provided to power the controller and various electrical and pneumatic components of the toilet  10 . The batteries are electrically connected to and charged by the solar panel array  24 . 
         [0126]    An air compressor  40  may be electrically connected to the batteries and activated to provide compressed air to one or more compressed air storage tanks  42 . The air from the storage tanks  42  is used to actuate the various pneumatic cylinders within the toilet  10 . Space for additional pneumatic control devices  44  is also provided in the toilet cabinet  12  behind the compressor and storage tank access door  18 . 
         [0127]    A compressed gas tank  46  is provided in the toilet cabinet  12  behind the burner tank access door  20 . The compressed gas tank  46  preferably contains a small amount of propane (LP) or natural gas (NG) for use in heating the waste material in the burner chamber. Burner controls and metering devices  48  are also located in the cabinet  12  behind the access door  20 . 
         [0128]    The waterless hygienic toilet  10  also has a distilled water storage tank  50  located in the housing  12  thereof behind the water storage and condensation chamber access door  22 . Also located behind the access door is a distilled water condensation chamber and filters  52 . 
         [0129]    An alternative preferred embodiment of the waterless hygienic toilet  10  is shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . This embodiment is similar in most respects to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , wherein like reference numeral indicate like components (i.e.  14 ,  114  both indicate the toilet chamber door). Accordingly, only those aspect of this embodiment that differ from those of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3  will be discussed here. 
         [0130]    The primary difference between the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4-6  and the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3  is that the use of LP or natural gas to heat the burner chamber has been eliminated. In its place, a resistance heating coil is provided for heating the contents of the waste hopper. A resistance coil pneumatic cylinder may also be provided to move the heating coil into contact with a bottom surface of the hopper for heating. Naturally, the use of a resistance heating coil instead of gas heating will increase the electrical demands on the system. Accordingly, additional solar panels may need to be provided in the solar panel array  124  in order to meet the increased power demand. In addition, the locations of the exhaust piping  128  and burn chamber exhaust fan  134  are relocated to accommodate the additional solar panels. 
         [0131]    The inner workings of the waterless hygienic toilet  10 , and the sequence of operation are best shown in  FIGS. 7-13 . At the front of the toilet housing  12 , behind the toilet chamber door  14 , is the toilet chamber  54 . Located within the toilet chamber is a mixed content toilet  56  and a urine only toilet  58 . The urine only toilet  58  is connected via tubing, piping and/or an opening in the bowl thereof, to a urine day holding tank  60 . Due to its limited size, the urine day holding tank  60  is connected by tubing and a pump to a urine bulk holding tank  62 . When a user uses the urine only toilet  58 , the urine gravity flows into the urine day holding tank  60 . The urine day holding tank  60  is provided with level sensors that activate the pump when the urine day holding tank  60  is full, thereby pumping the urine into the urine bulk holding tank  62 . 
         [0132]    The mixed content toilet  56  empties into a collection hopper  64 . As best shown in  FIG. 7 , a pair of collection hoppers  64  are positioned on a rotating turntable  66 . When sensors indicate that the hopper nearest the mixed content toilet  56  is full, the turntable  66  rotates to provide an empty hopper  64  for the mixed content toilet  56  and to position the full hopper  64  for entry into the burner chamber. Pneumatic cylinders  68  are positioned on each side of each hopper  64 . The end of each pneumatic cylinder engages a push/pull movement block  90  on the side of the hopper  64 . Activation of the pneumatic cylinders  68  on the hopper adjacent the burner chamber causes the hopper to slide from the turntable  66  into the burner chamber atop the burner  70 . Once the burn process is completed, the hopper can be returned to the turntable by pneumatic cylinders  72  located in the burn chamber along the sides of the hopper. Also, as best shown in  FIG. 8 , a pair of hopper covers  74  are provided for covering the hopper in the position adjacent the mixed content toilet  56  and in the burner chamber. The hopper covers are raised from and lowered onto the hoppers via pneumatic cylinders  76 , respectively. 
         [0133]    As best shown in  FIG. 9 , after a user uses the mixed content toilet  56 , a flush sequence is activated by the user closing the lid on the toilet. The flush sequence activates pneumatic cylinder  74  thereby lifting the hopper cover  74  from the hopper  64  that is located adjacent the mixed content toilet  56 . A valve is also opened between the mixed content toilet and the hopper  64  allowing the mixed content to gravity flow into the hopper  64 . After the flush cycle is complete, the hopper cover  74  is again lowered onto the hopper  64  via pneumatic cylinder. 
         [0134]    When level sensors in the hopper  64  determine that it is full, the burn cycle is initiated. First, the pneumatic cylinder  76  raises the hopper lid  74 . Then the turntable  66  is indexed, moving the full hopper to the position adjacent the burner and the empty hopper adjacent the mixed content toilet  56 . Once the full hopper  64  has been indexed to the position adjacent the burner, sensors assess the total weight of the collection hopper and its contents. This information is then sent to the PLC to calculate the burn parameters for the mixed content. After the hopper is weighed, pneumatic cylinders  68 , with ends engaging the push/pull movement blocks  90  on the hopper, extend to push the hopper  64  into the burn chamber above the burner  70 . The hopper cover  74  is then lowered onto the hopper to seal the contents therein, effectively turning the collection hopper into a pressure cooker for content de-water, distillation and bio-fuel creation. The burner  70 , fed by LP or NG from the compressed gas storage tank  46  is then ignited. The burner  70  heats the contents of the hopper to remove moisture, perform water distillation, and de-water the bio-fuel. The burner fire is controlled by the PLC with calculations based upon the previously collected hopper weight as well as readings from steam output pressure sensors. 
         [0135]    When the pressure and temperature inside the hopper  64  reach the predetermined programmed level, the PLC will open valves allowing water vapor to exit the hopper through steam outlet pipes  102 ,  103 . The steam condensate is then transferred via tubing or pipes to the steam condensate storage chamber  78 , where it is stored for secondary filtration. The piping between the steam outlet pipes  102 ,  103  and the steam condensate storage chamber  78  may preferably be routed in close proximity to the urine bulk holding tank  62  effecting thermal transfer from the piping to the urine bulk holding tank thereby raising the temperature of the stored urine prior to its introduction into the burn cycle. The PLC then actuates a pump to transfer the pre-heated urine from the urine bulk holding tank  62  to the collection hopper  64  via a urine inlet pipe  106  in the hopper cover  74 . The heating process is repeated until distillation of all liquid in the hopper is completed. The PLC then opens valves in the air inlet pipes  104 ,  105  thereby converting the collection hopper  74  into a convection heat oven for final bio-fuel dewatering. This cycle continues until the PLC parameters based upon pressure sensors, tank capacity, sensors, etc. dictate the end of the distillation cycle. Based upon the previous weight calculations, the PLC continues the convection de-water burn cycle for a set period and then ends the burn cycle. 
         [0136]    After the burn cycle is complete, the secondary filtration cycle is activated by the PLC at regular intervals for final water purification. During the secondary filtration cycle, water stored in the steam condensate storage chamber  78  is pumped through secondary filters  80 , and then is pumped into the distilled water storage tank  50 . The remaining solid bio-fuel may then be removed via hopper access door  82 . The empty hopper  74  is then re-inserted into the burner chamber, the PLC senses an empty hopper and activates pneumatic cylinders  72  to return the hopper  64  to the turntable  66 . 
         [0137]    As best shown in  FIGS. 14-18 , the collection hopper  64  includes two chambers: a mixed content chamber  86  and a urine content chamber  88 . A plurality of support blocks  92  are positioned on the inner walls of the mixed content chamber  86  to support a mesh bio-collection basket  94 , which may be inserted into and removed from the mixed content chamber  86  of the collection hopper  64 . The mesh basket allows for initial solid and liquid separation. A partition wall  96  is located between the two chambers. A mesh region  98  at or near the bottom of the partition wall allows fluid movement between the two chambers. 
         [0138]    In operation, mixed content waste is added to the mixed content chamber  86  during use of the mixed content toilet  56 . Gravity, and the mesh material of the basket  94 , in conjunction with the mesh region  98  of the wall partition provide initial filtration, effectively separating solid and liquid waste. Buoyancy laws level the contents of both chambers. The user initiates a unit flush sequence by closing the toilet lid, which causes the controller to lower the hopper cover  74 . When sensors in the collection hopper  64  indicate it is full, the burn cycle, which is discussed below, is initiated. 
         [0139]    Similarly, when a user uses the urine only toilet  58 , urine gravity flows into the urine day holding tank  60 . When level sensors in the urine day holding tank  60  indicated that it is full, the controller initiates a pump cycle to pump urine from the day holding tank  60  to the urine bulk holding tank  62 . 
         [0140]    Upon initiation of the burn cycle, the controller causes the hopper cover  74  to be retracted and the collection hopper  64  is transferred to the burn chamber via turntable  66  and pneumatic cylinders  68  as described above. Prior to being transferred from the turntable  66  to the burner  70 , the total weight of the contents of the collection hopper  64  is determined via sensors and that information is sent to the PLC controller, which computes the parameters for the burn cycle based on programming and the weight of the contents. Once the hopper is positioned on the burner  70 , the lid  74  is lowered and the burner is either ignited (gas), or, in the case of an electric resistance heating coil, the controller actuates a cylinder and raises the resistance heating coil to contact the bottom of the hopper. The flame, or the resistance heating coil is controlled by the PLC with calculations based upon previously collected collection hopper weight and steam output pressure sensors. While in the burn cycle, the collection hopper essentially becomes a pressure cooker for content de-water, distillation and bio-fuel creation. When pressure and temperature reach programmed levels, the PLC will open valves in the steam outlet pipes  102 ,  103  allowing steam to escape the hopper into the steam condensate storage chamber  78 . The steam piping is routed for thermal transfer from piping to the bulk urine tank  62  raising the temperature of the urine stored therein. 
         [0141]    The PLC then actuates a pump to transfer pre-heated urine from the bulk storage tank  62  to the collection hopper  64  during the burn cycle to continue distillation. Once the distillation process is complete, the PLC opens valves in air inlet pipes  104 ,  105  converting the hopper to a convection heat oven for final bio-solid dewatering. This cycle continues until the PLC parameters based on pressure sensors, tank capacity, sensors, etc. dictate the end of the burn cycle. 
         [0142]    The PLC then actuates a secondary filtration cycle at regular intervals for final purification level of water. After being filtered through secondary filters  52 , the water is then pumped to the distilled water storage tank  50 . The remaining solid bio-fuel may then be manually removed from the back of the unit via hopper access door  82  and the empty hopper placed back on the burner. Pneumatic cylinders  72  next to the burner then return the hopper  64  to the turntable  66  where it awaits indexing for further use. 
         [0143]    An alternative preferred embodiment of the waterless hygienic toilet  10  is shown in  FIGS. 20-27 . This embodiment is similar in most respects to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-19 , wherein like reference numerals indicate like components. Accordingly, only those aspect of this embodiment that differ from those of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-19  will be discussed here. 
         [0144]    The primary differences between the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-19  and the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 20-27  is that the use and addition of high corrosive resistant electric heating elements to the interior of the urine distillation chamber for additional heating and improved thermal transfer efficiency. These electric heating elements are shown best in  FIG. 26  and are in addition to the external heating elements that are detailed in  FIG. 19 . Additionally, an alternate shape of the hopper  156  is provided to include a grade slope of the bottom side of the hopper solids side bottom side of the hopper to increase flow of natural liquid drained from the solids basket to the liquid distillation chamber that differs from the hopper design detailed in  FIG. 19  and is shown in  FIG. 26 . 
         [0145]    Naturally, the use of a resistance heating coil instead of gas heating will increase the electrical demands on the system. Accordingly, additional solar panels may need to be provided in the solar panel array  124  in order to meet the increased power demand. In lieu of additional solar panels, alternative electrical supply such as main line power or generator may be inclusively substituted to provide the additional electrical power demand. In addition, the locations of the exhaust piping  128  and burn chamber exhaust fan  134  are relocated to accommodate the additional solar panels. The exterior doors have been eliminated in the alternative embodiment and the unit may now be contained in a conventional twenty (20) foot shipping container. These embodiment variations are detailed in  FIGS. 20-27  in accordance to variations from  FIGS. 1-19 . 
         [0146]    This additional embodiment also contains a variation of transfer of solid and liquid waste from the user toilet to the hopper holding tank. The embodiment utilizes a single arm rotary device with inclusive flush nozzle to transfer solid and liquid waste from the user toilet to the hopper. This rotary actuator  156  is used in the place of the rotary turn table  66  used in  FIGS. 4-6  and is detailed in  FIGS. 23-25 . This embodiment variation allows for movement of the rotary arm on an “X” and “Y” axis and is capable of rotation based upon the central rotary pivot point. Additionally, this alternate embodiment  156  utilizes all electrical motor actuation controls and eliminates the need for air actuated devices and an air compressor supply for the embodiment, eliminating the need for these component parts as detailed in  FIGS. 4-6 . This embodiment will consist of two hoppers, based on fixed position shown in  FIGS. 23-25 . The embodiment hoppers are fixed upon an actuation device that allows for a shift in position for one hopper to be in a fill position and the alternate hopper to be in a filling position, allowing the embodiment rotary actuation device  156  to access the available filling hopper in each alternate fill position. 
         [0147]    As best shown in  FIG. 26 , the alternate embodiment also contains additional inlet air piping  170  to the hopper solid area containment chamber. The additional inlet piping  170  is to facilitate an additional air inlet flow during the distillation process. The intention of this additional air flow inlet  170  is to utilize heated air to be passed through the solid basket  94  containment during the distillation process. The embodiment utilizes a heat exchanger  158  to pre-heat the incoming drying air by passing the distillation steam through the heat exchanger past the incoming inlet drying air. This will allow the incoming air to be heated for the purpose of additional solid drying during the distillation process. These embodiment alternatives can be detailed in their entirety in the schematic shown in  FIG. 27 . Additionally, the embodiment utilizes an alternate heat exchanger  158  to heat incoming liquid to be added to the distillation chamber during the distillation cycle. This embodiment additional heat exchanger will utilize the steam condensate to heat urine being pumped into the distillation process. This embodiment alternative is detailed in intent in the schematic shown in  FIG. 27 . 
         [0148]    The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of the present invention. The specific components and order of the steps listed above, while preferred is not necessarily required. Further modifications and adaptation to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.