Solar Powered Water Distillation Device Eric Frasch, Mike Santorella, Mikio Yanagisawa, Stephen Coffrin Advisor: Professor Mohammed Taslim

Problem Statement Over 1 billion people without access to clean water worldwide Over 1 billion people without access to clean water worldwide 26.8% in Africa 26.8% in Africa Clean water essential to stop spread of disease & improve overall health Clean water essential to stop spread of disease & improve overall health Solar energy = untapped resource Solar energy = untapped resource

Project Statement Design low cost, solar powered water distillation device for coastal areas of Africa without access to clean drinking water Design low cost, solar powered water distillation device for coastal areas of Africa without access to clean drinking water

Project Goals Solar powered Solar powered Affordable Affordable 2-4 gallons per day 2-4 gallons per day Practical Practical Efficient Efficient Easy to clean Easy to clean

Water Distillation Process that removes impurities & contaminants Process that removes impurities & contaminants How? How? –Heat water to point of vaporization –Water vapor condenses on cooler surfaces –Condensate runs off into collection bin

Patent & Periodical Research Results Beneficial Ideas Beneficial Ideas –Troughs –Water height < 2 cm –Mirrors Beneficial Information Beneficial Information –Asymmetrical superior to other designs –30% more efficient

Market Search Rainmaker 550 TM Unit Cost - $479.00Estimated cost $400-$600 Built & supplied by aid organization El Paso Solar Energy Association (EPSEA) Aid Project Not currently in production Very low output The Water Cone ®

Thermal Circuit Energy balance at water, glass, and air inside Energy balance at water, glass, and air inside Spreadsheet program developed Spreadsheet program developed Inputs  Output temperatures Inputs  Output temperatures Results: 2 gallon output requires ~ 1 m 2 Results: 2 gallon output requires ~ 1 m 2

Thermal Circuit Validation Est. Solar Rad: 1.8 kWhr/m 2 Est. Solar Rad: 1.8 kWhr/m 2 Input 2 L Input 2 L Output 200 mL Output 200 mL Windspeed, T ∞, and other inputs entered into program Windspeed, T ∞, and other inputs entered into program 2 nd Prototype

Results: T water > T air > T glass > T ∞

Design Outline Input Tank Reflective Walls Adjustable Legs Output Tank Float Valve Troughs Collection Unit Insulation

Basin Features Mirrors Mirrors Slotted tray Slotted tray –Min. volume with max. surface area Black body surface Black body surface Easy to level Easy to level –Adjustable legs –Mounted levels Max. water depth: 1.5 – 2 cm Max. water depth: 1.5 – 2 cm –Regulated by float valve Easy cleaning Easy cleaning –Wipe down tray with cloth Troughs Bubble Level Output Tank Float Valve

Input & Output Features Input Input –Preheated water tank –Tube leading to float valve/basin Output Output –Collection mechanism –Stored under basin –Easy to remove tank Input Tank Float Valve Collection Unit

Design Overview Cost: $ Cost: $ Highly insulated Highly insulated –no heat loss Mirrors to reflect radiation Mirrors to reflect radiation Small bodies of water Small bodies of water Self regulating water level Self regulating water level Easy cleanup / collection Easy cleanup / collection

Future Plans Test Final Prototype Test Final Prototype Decrease manufacturing costs ~ $90.00 Decrease manufacturing costs ~ $90.00 –Mold numerous parts –Buy parts in bulk Market Design Market Design –Red Cross –Mercy Corps –UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund) –WV (World Vision)

Questions?

Cost Analysis

Importance of Solar Power UN Climate Change Conference (Indonesia) UN Climate Change Conference (Indonesia) Attempting to agree to curb the amount of greenhouse gas emissions Attempting to agree to curb the amount of greenhouse gas emissions “The Earth's atmosphere is being changed at an unprecedented rate by pollutants resulting from wasteful fossil fuel use... These changes represent a major threat to international security and are already having harmful consequences over many parts of the globe.... it is imperative to act now.” Emphasizes the importance of using renewable resources Emphasizes the importance of using renewable resources

Solar Energy - Boston December Average Value – 1530 Whr/m 2

Solar Energy - Somalia Average Value – 6000 Whr/m 2