PROJECTS

This project covers the conception, technical development, prototyping and final validation of an innovative toilet that includes a number of features, namely a ‘washlet’ system, an integrated system for storing and flushing the water, and an urine separation system. All the solutions will be studied and developed from the standpoint of comfort, hygiene and sustainability, focusing on essential aspects related equally to personal hygiene and the efficient use of resources.

The ‘washlet’ system incorporates the normal bidet features in the toilet, responding to a recent market trend favouring comfort and hygiene.  The water storage and flush system integrated into the actual toilet meets the compaction needs sought by today’s design solutions, without compromising its main function. Finally, the system to separate and recover urine aims to provide the built environment with solutions that are more sustainable, by creating opportunities for the local exploitation of nutrients and for saving water. It is thus concluded that the WashOne system will promote compactness, functionality and sustainability by combining in a single product a number of features that up to now have only been available as individual solutions.

The project will be carried out by a consortium involving: Oliveira & Irmão (OLI), a leading firm in Portugal in the manufacture of toilet cisterns and accessories for sanitary ware; Sanindusa a relevant Portuguese manufacturer of sanitary ware; EVOLEO, a SME with acknowledged experience in developing complex electronic systems; ITeCons, a research and innovation systems institution geared to developing new construction systems and processes; ANQIP, another research and innovation systems institution devoted to the assessment of the quality and efficiency of facilities installed in buildings; the University of Aveiro, which has sound experience in developing and validating hydromechanical systems, and the University of Coimbra, with its proven experience in the simulation of engineered systems and the study of life-cycle environmental assessment.