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13.2 Laboratory Development of the Low-Volume Flush Toilet
A P-trap WC configuration was adopted, to conform to common practice in developing countries. The modelling of the LVFT was based on a Twyfords British Standard 1213 P-trap WC from which both the flushing rim and trap-seal back plate had been removed. Plasticine was used to remodel the internal shape of the bowl and trap, and perspex back plates were fitted to vary trapseal depth. A mechanical tipping bucket was developed to provide repeatable and representative pour-flushing by bucket. In addition to British Standard 5503 tests, which included the ball test, paper test and sawdust test, a range of discriminatory tests were used and developed to appraise WC performance.
1. Multiple ball test, using fifty 20 mm diameter balls of the same specific gravity which could be selected in the range 0.85-1.15. Discharge efficiency was calculated as the percentage of balls discharging successfully.
2. Liquid contamination test, using potassium permanganate to simulate liquid contamination of the WC trap. Light absorption, measured by a colorimeter, of a sample of trap-water taken after flushing compared with a sample taken before flushing, and calculated as a percentage relative residual concentration, gives an important measure of flushing performance.
3. Modified paper test, using six pieces of 125 ´ 125 mm newspaper.
4. Simulated faeces test, using three 30 mm diameter by 100 mm long foamed plastic stools having a saturated specific gravity of 0.98.
5. Modified ball test, using the BS5503 ball but recording the amount of water discharged ahead of the ball relative to the flush volume. This modification produced a useful degree of discrimination.
6. Various bowl washing tests, including the American ANSI A112.19.2M (1982) test, which involves drawing a horizontal

 
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