Propelair WC

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Propelair connects to conventional drainage systems with other fixtures for easy retrofit of existing properties

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Pressure assisted flushing allows Propelair to connect to existing drains via small-bore, flexible waste pipes without gradients for difficult installations.

Domestic trial installation

Not to be confused with macerating, vacuum or compressed air toilets

propelair ® is a totally new approach to WC operation. 5 years in development, it combines the convenience of a conventional WC with the water saving and performance benefits of air assisted flushing.

By using a unique application of Boyles Law, atmospheric air is displaced into the bowl to create the flush instead of precious water. This reduces the flushing volume to just 1.5 litres – an 84% saving compared with an average WC - and the poor performance associated with other reduced flushing volume WCs is avoided. Dual-flushing is not used.

How it works
The lid is closed before flushing, which forms an air seal with the bowl. A small quantity of water enters the bowl to wash it, followed by displaced air. As the air can’t exit the bowl, it acts to efficiently and effectively expel the contents of the bowl without water, pumps or maceration. After flushing, sufficient water replenishes the water trap seal, and propelair is ready for the next user. The entire flushing cycle takes around three seconds to complete.

As part of our development programme, prototype equipment  has now been tested under the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS). The tests were independently conducted by WRc-NSF and established that the prototypes exceed the requirements of EN 997:2003 - recording an average flush volume of just 1.46 litres and an exceptionally high contaminant removal rate of 99.8%.

See the WRAS test video 

Installation
The system looks like, and is used in the same way as, a conventional WC, and is very convenient to install. Significantly, propelair connects onto existing drains and requires no special pipes, yet it’s unique performance also allows it to transport wastewater without gradients if required, making difficult drainage runs easy to tackle through flexible, smaller-bore waste-pipes that  fit between joists.

propelair is a self-contained system and requires no ancillary equipment. It uses fresh air to flush and compressors are not required. The small amount of water that it does use for washing and providing a water trap seal can be provided from any water supply, including gravity tanks, so a pressurised water supply is also unnecessary.

Hygiene

Laboratory testing over the past year has indicated substantial hygiene benefits of Propelair toilets. Not only is the rimless, side-hinge pan design very easy to clean, but a 99.8% contaminant removal rate and a 95% reduction in bacterial aerosol make it a very tough act to follow when it comes to WC hygiene. 

Read about bacterial aerosol testing in our latest newsletter

Trials
The technology is currently at prototype stage and is undergoing trials with the Water Research Centre. Download trial report.

Phoenix Product Development Limited are Industrial Collaborators to the EPSRC funded Water Cycle Management for New Developments (WaND) research programme, which is a £2.5M government funded initiative to support the delivery of integrated, sustainable water management for new developments. Participants Include universities, water companies and private enterprises within the water industry, and Phoenix are working on wastewater collection technologies with the Water Research Centre and Exeter University to develop new drainage systems that utilise smaller-bore, flexible waste-pipes that are cheaper to produce and construct than traditional systems, and which need lower volumes of water to operate. propelair has undergone extensive testing at the Water Research Centre and has already demonstrated successful operation with the proposed new approach. http://wand.uk.net

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