Solar Powered Water Distillation Device Eric Frasch Mike

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 • 26. 8% in Africa • Clean water essential to stop spread of disease & improve overall health • 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

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

Water Distillation • Process that removes impurities & contaminants • 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 – Troughs – Water height < 2 cm – Mirrors • Beneficial Information – Asymmetrical superior to other designs – 30% more efficient

Market Search The Water Cone® • Not currently in production • Very low output El Paso Solar Energy Association (EPSEA) Aid Project • Estimated cost $400 -$600 • Built & supplied by aid organization Rainmaker 550 TM • Unit Cost - $479. 00

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

Thermal Circuit Validation • Est. Solar Rad: 1. 8 • • • k. Whr/m 2 Input 2 L Output 200 m. L Windspeed, T∞, and other inputs entered into program 2 nd Prototype

Results: Twater > Tair > Tglass > T∞

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

Basin Features • Mirrors • Slotted tray Float Valve Troughs – Min. volume with max. surface area • Black body surface • Easy to level – Adjustable legs – Mounted levels • Max. water depth: 1. 5 – 2 cm Bubble Level – Regulated by float valve • Easy cleaning – Wipe down tray with cloth Output Tank

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

Design Overview • Cost: $379. 77 • Highly insulated – no heat loss • Mirrors to reflect radiation • Small bodies of water • Self regulating water level • Easy cleanup / collection

Future Plans • Test Final Prototype • Decrease manufacturing costs ~ $90. 00 – Mold numerous parts – Buy parts in bulk • 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) • 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

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

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