You might have seen colorful portable plastic enclosures that are used as toilets in parks, stadiums, construction sites, etc. These are nothing other than portable toilets that use chemicals to deodorize and breakdown human waste. Such toilets are really convenient in places where the installation of a full-fledged septic system is not practically possible, due to factors like non-availability of water or space constraints. Almost all portable toilets are chemical toilets that deodorize and breakdown the waste, instead of storing it or transferring it to a septic tank. These toilets are found to be used in recreational vehicles (RV), caravans, parks, construction sites, trains, airplanes, houseboats, etc. New trends in the portable toilet industry favor more upscale units marketed primarily for special events, and portable toilet companies have developed innovative new products and services in response to the new demands in customer tastes. According to this approachportable toilet companies now offer new amenities such as porcelain fixtures, hot and cold running water inside their luxury trailer restrooms, skylights, marble countertops and more. But how does a portable toilet work?
Portable toilets are waterless toilets with very little or no water to flush out the waste. Instead of that, these toilets use special chemicals with a small amount of water to deodorize and breakdown the waste, before storing it in a tank. Most of these toilets come with indicators that help us to understand when the waste tank gets full. The waste has to be disposed as per the manufacturer's instructions. In some regions, there are special laws with regard to the use of portable toilets and the disposal of waste from such toilets. This is because of the use of chemicals in these appliances. You may also find special dumping sites for waste from portable toilets. Formaldehyde and bromine are among the commonly used chemicals in such portable chemical toilets. Nowadays, even nitrate-based formulas are available for this purpose. The working mechanisms of portable toilets vary with the specific type. In some types, waste can be flushed out with chemicals mixed with a small amount of water. In some others (as those used in airplanes), waste, along with a small amount of water, is sucked into the waste tank with the help of a vacuum flush. The waste is then stored in the tank with chemicals. So, as in case of a traditional toilet, a chemical toilet consists of a toilet seat with commode and a reservoir that is meant for flushing out the waste that is filled with special chemicals and some water. |
