One of the main complaints from passengers onboard cruise ships and cruise-ferries relates to the noise generated by the flushing of vacuum toilets, which can cause considerable disturbance, especially at night-time. Helsinki-based Evac Oy has come up with a solution to this problem with its recently launched Evac 910 vacuum toilet.
As the result of the incorporation of a new patented quick relief valve, which cuts discharge noise by around 4dB(A) and peak noise by approximately 8dB(A), the Evac 910 vacuum toilet is much quieter than previous generation vacuum toilets. Recent testing carried out by an independent research center has demonstrated that the sound level of the Evac 910 is around 5-8dB(A) lower than other vacuum toilets on the market.
The Evac 910 has also been designed to facilitate onboard maintenance and repairs. An integrated mini check valve makes servicing easier, and reduces the spare parts requirement compared to the earlier generation Evac 900 vacuum toilet. The inclusion of a new by-pass valve also facilitates servicing work and allows a complete toilet flush to be carried out manually from the shaft area.
The Evac 910 has been designed so that all servicing can be carried out from the shaft area, making life easier for maintenance staff. The complete backplate can be removed either through the service space or the cabin simply by removing two screws.
Other features of the Evac 910 include a vacuum guard unit which ensures there is sufficient vacuum in the pipes to carry out efficient flushing and which prevents blockages occurring in the piping. If the level of the vacuum is too low, an integrated flush memory unit waits until there is enough vacuum in the pipes.
The unit is equipped with a fully pneumatic flush mechanism, and designed to minimize water consumption and withstand the rigours of use at sea. The toilet has been tested for a lifecycle of 300,000 flushes.