Log 5 - 20 December 2011

Accomplished
- Contacted Mentor
- Ordered Solar Panel

Goals
- Start Midterm

Log 4 - 19 December 2011

Accomplished
- Finished the housing for the UV light
- Ordered the UV light and adapter

Goals
- Contact mentor
- Order solar panel and build mounting

Log 3 - 16 December 2011

Accomplished
- Finished Plan of Procedures
- Purchased materials

Goals
- Start construction
- Contact mentor

Log 2 - 8 December 2011

Accomplished
- Started Press Release

Goals
- Finish Press Release
- Finish Plan of Procedures
- Purchase supplies and materials need for construction and start
- Contact Mentor
- Write up Mentor Contact with Wholesale Solar

Log 1 - 6 December 2011

Accomplished
- Contacted Wholesale Solar to discuss questions and purchasing
- Started Plan of Procedures

Goals
- Finish Plan of Procedures
- Contact Menor
- Start Press Release

Log 7 - 15 November 2011

Accomplished
- Obtained contact information for information pertaining to UV lights and Solar Panels
- Made a list of questions to be asked when talking to customer service

Goals
- Finish Plan of Procedures
- Finish email to mentor
- Call/email Companies

Log 6 - 8 November 2011

Accomplished
- Started Plan of Procedures
- Discussed model and future changes

Goals
- Contact mentor
- Think about topics brought up by Mr. Cuttrell
- Look at 55 gallon barrel

Log 5 - 6 November 2011

Accomplished
- Gave FUP presentation
- Observed other students FUP presentations


Goals
- Review blog and ensure that everything is complete

Materials List: Final Product (Energy Component)

Item	Description	QTY	Size	Remarks
1	Solar Panel	1	16.34" x 10.55" x .87	generating approx. 10W or more
2	UV Lights	1	5.71 in	approx. 9W
3	Wire	1	2m or more	must be long enough so that solar panel can be placed at a distance

Research

Introduction
            Water is a necessity of life.  Human beings can survive a maximum of 5 days without water, but only under good circumstances and if the person is healthy.  Under certain circumstances, a person will not last longer than an hour.  Throughout all of human history, the first priority a person has had is to ensure that they have a fresh, clean source of water.  Most people you meet have a secure source, but what people often do not realize is that millions of other people do not have what they themselves take for granted.  Poor citizens of countries where poverty, sanitation, and education are major issues do not have water pumped to their faucets and would probably have trouble grasping the idea that we have these amazing luxuries, and yet do not treasure them.  GG, EK, and I have chosen to design and build a small, green-powered desalination unit that those without a secure source of water can use.

Problem
            We first discovered that Chile was having severe water issues when GG found this article.  The article explains how much of Chile’s water is owned by the private sector.  Water is not a public asset, and large companies fight over ownership of the water.  Near a town named Quillagua, mining companies have bought the water rights, and the town’s source of water, a nearby river, is a tiny trickle for most of the year.
            This article, written by Daniela Estrada, shows that while the people of Chile are trying to remedy this situation, large companies have a lot of power, and the Chilean public will find winning the rights to the water a hard task.
            People in northern Chile near the Atacama Desert have an especially hard time.  The Atacama Desert is one of the driest places in the world, rain does not often fall there, and any precipitation that does occur evaporates before the droplets reach the ground.

Climate and Environment

            The Atacama region is extremely dry and cloudless, making the area an optimum place for solar power.  One of the biggest downfalls of solar power is that the sun is not always visible, due to passing clouds, dense cloud cover, or fog.  Most of Chile experiences an effect called Rainshadow.  This event happens when mountains block moisture-carrying winds, and the winds then deposit their moisture in order to rise above the mountains and continue.  The leeward side of the mountain receives no moisture, often creating deserts or extremely dry regions.  This lack of cloud cover gives solar panels full contact with the sun.
            The harsh conditions that Northern Chile experiences have convinced my team that the area is truly in need of water and that the situation needs to change.  Hot and arid weather in the lowlands and occasional summer showers in the Andean highlands characterize Northern Chile.  The area receives an average of only .01cm of rain per year; moreover, Chile is experiencing a drought, the second one in four years.

User Analysis

            Our project is to build a product that will improve the lives of less fortunate people.  The people that we are primarily designing our project for live in a harsh, arid location, and do not necessarily have access to potable water.  The unit we have planned will allow these people to have fresh, clean water, and to be able to provide this clean water by themselves.  The culture of the Atacama region has evolved from hardship, and the people who live there are stubborn self-respecting people who are proud that they live in such an inhospitable region.

            We are building this unit for a typical family of four; according to this article, a family uses only 30L to 40L of water per day for domestic consumption.  When designing the unit, we need to be attentive, to the fact that the person using the unit may be a child, or may not have a proper education, and we need be sure to make sure that the unit is very easy to use.

Works Cited

Royalty free stock images: Carafe of clean and dirty water. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photography-carafe-of-clean-and-dirty-water-image7661647

Gower , R. (2009, January 20). San pedro de atacama (chile) – like nowhere else on earth. Retrieved from http://www.roadlesstravelled.com.au/san-pedro-de-atacama-chile-like-nowhere-else-on-earth/

Rivers: a drying shame. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.arteriesinternational.com/newsarticle.asp?id=905

San pedro de atacama, chile - 20-22 april. (2008, May 19). Retrieved from http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Chile/Atacama/blog-277669.html

Where does water fit into your skincare?. (2011, July 08). Retrieved from http://www.love-yourself-naturally.com/?tag=water

Climate: When to go to chile. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.colonialvoyage.com/america/eng/south/chile/climate.html

Estrada, D. (2010, January 23). Water a matter of national security. Retrieved from http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=50082

Barrionuevo, A. (2009, March 14). Chilean town withers in free market for water. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/15/world/americas/15chile.html

Chile - climate . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Americas/Chile-CLIMATE.html

Azzopardi, T. (2011, April 04). Chile’s drought dilemma. Retrieved from http://www.businesschile.cl/en/news/water/chile’s-drought-dilemma

Driest place: Atacama desert, chile. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.extremescience.com/driest.htm

Water consumption in africa. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://waterindustry.org/Water-Facts/africa-water.htm

Survey

Desalination Unit - Satisfaction Survey

Your response to our product is very important to our improvement of future designs; we appreciate it if you would take the time to fill out the survey relating to your satisfaction without product.

 Have you experienced any difficulties with running the unit? YES ___ NO___

If so what?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How much do you agree with the following statements?

	Strongly Agree	Agree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
The Desalination Unit is hard to use and/or frustrating.				
The Desalination Unit is bulky and/or in the way.				
The Desalination Unit is ugly.				
The Desalination Unit does not clean enough water.				

Does the water produced by the unit have a taste or color? And did we remove all traces of salt or other contaminates? YES ___ NO___

If so what?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How long does it take the unit to produce 1L of water? ___

Do you have any suggestions about improving the unit?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do you have any other comments you would like to make about the unit?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


We thank you for your time and truthfulness. We will take your comments into consideration.

Log 4 - 25 October 2011

Accomplished
 - Took pictures of model and uploaded them to blog
- Fixed errors pointed out by Mrs. Green

Goals
- Discuss presentation

Model

The entire model.  The solar panel on the right, the evaporation unit on the left, and the separate storage in the middle.

The inside of the seperate stroage tank, featuring the UV lights on the lid.

 

 

The inverted cone. 

The inside of the evaporation chamber, showing the tube which the water drips into.

Log 3 - 21 October 2011

 Accomplished
-  Posted Team and Individual Testing Procedures

- Started model
- Searched for appropriate solar panel that we could purchase
- Posted CAD drawings
- Contacted Mentor

Goals
-finish model by Monday

Testing Procedures: Team

Introduction

            Our final design must be a functioning, easily operated, durable product that will be able to provide clean healthy water to needy people.  The unit will clean water by use of the desalination process.  The water will evaporate and will drip into a cylinder, from where gravity will pull the water through a carbon filter and to a separate storage tank.  The product must produce at least 40L of water each day to be able to provide enough for a family.  The unit will also be able to harness solar energy by means of photovoltaic cells.  This gathered energy will power the germicidal lights, which will kill any germs and bacteria in the water. 

            We also expect to build the unit with materials accessible to Chile.  The price of the unit should be in a range where a Chilean family can purchase one, or if necessary, where charities can easily fundraise for one.  We hope that the unit will beseem into the lives of the Chileans, and that our product will become an everyday item.

            When testing the unit, we must make sure that the unit is functioning properly.  We will test all the parts of the unit to guarantee that the unit works as planned.  We will test the evaporation, the tubing, the solar panels, and the UV lights.  We will also be testing the structural integrity of the unit, along with the expenses and the unit’s availability.  We will test the sanitation of the water as well.  We will check the salinity, the pH, and we will test for heavy metals and parasites.

            EK, GG, and I will participate in the testing of our product.  I am in charge of the energy portion of this project.  I will be handling the testing of the solar panel, UV lights, and the wiring.  EK will be testing the mobility of the water, the structural integrity, and availability to Chileans.  GG will be testing the desalination process, the quality of the water, and whether or not the water is sufficient for the family.

            The optimum location would be Chile, but we are unable to accomplish this.  We will test the unit outside of our school, on a sunny day, if the whether permits.  This will probably occur in the spring or early summer.  Some testing, such as testing the strength of the materials and the functionality of the UV lights, we will do indoors.  The testing will occur while the product is dry and right side up.  The product will be on during all testing.

Testing Stages

Tester: EH

Type: Exploratory/Comparison

Stage: Preliminary

State of Solution: preconstruction

Conditions: preconstruction

Parameter/Specification: Which green energy source would be most useful and practical for the unit?

Tools and Equipment: computer with internet capabilities

Procedure:

1. Search the internet for information about various types of green energy sources
2. Compare and contrast different types
3. Pick an energy source to use

Target: Determine which energy source would be practical for our project.

Tester: EK

Type: Exploratory

Stage: Preliminary

State of Solution: Preconstruction
Condition: Preconstruction

Parameter/Specification: Material strength and durability, cost, and size

Tools and Equipment: Calculator, materials, ruler

Procedure:

1.      Count all the expenses i.e. the materials, the power.

2.      Make sure the desalination unit us under $300.

3.      Check to make sure the desalination unit is weather proof by checking all visible materials and only using those, which are strong enough to endure high temperature, high wind speeds, and water.

4.      Make sure that none of the materials or parts that are going to be constructed are fragile.

5.      Test every material for leaks before using them.

6.      Make sure that the desalination unit dimensions are suitable to an average Chile household.

7.      Make sure dimensions are less than 2m by 2m.

Target: Ensure that all materials are acceptable

Tester: GG

Type: Exploratory/Comparison

Stage: Preliminary

State of Solution: pre-construction

Conditions: We have not gathered the materials.  This is not a physical test.

Parameter/Specification: Which method of desalination is most suited to the problem situation?

Tools and Equipment: Computer, Internet, Notepad program

Procedure:

1. Google types of desalination make a list
2. Google each type of desalination, take careful notes
3. Compare the desalination types against each other and against the specifications of the problem situation.
4. Decide which type of desalination to use in the final solution.

Target: The cheapest, most low-maintenance, and high-yield method of desalination

Tester: GG

Type: Assessment:

Stage: Preliminary

State of Solution: All Materials acquired, unassembled.  We should have shaped the black plastic into a cone

Conditions: We will use water; equipment should expect to get wet.  This is testing how well water will condense on the plastic cone.

Parameter/Specification: Condensation Efficiency/Time

Tools and Equipment: Black Plastic cone, water, bucket, timer

Procedure:

1. Suspend black plastic cone over bucket filled with water
2. Heat water, either by putting it in the sun or over a direct heat source
3. Time how long it takes for water to condense on black plastic, and how long it takes to start dripping off the tip of the cone.

Target: <1 hr

Tester: EH

Type: Exploratory/Comparison

Stage: Secondary

State of Solution: preconstruction

Conditions: preconstruction

Parameter/Specification: Determine which photovoltaic cells, solar panel brand, size, and watts we should use for our project, and purchase one.

Procedure:

1. Search the internet for different types of solar panels
2. Compare and contrast different types and prices
3. Select  a solar panel to buy

Target: Choose and secure a solar panel to use for the project.

Tester: GG

Type: Assessment

Stage: Secondary

State of Solution: Stationary, unconnected from storage unit, mid-production

Conditions: time-sensitive, we will deal with water

Parameter/Specification: Desalination Efficiency/Time

Tools and Equipment: bucket, timer, graduated cylinder or beaker

Procedure:

1. Measure 2 L of saltwater prior to desalination using a graduated cylinder or beaker
2. Place in input tank, place in sun, begin desalination.  Start timer
3. When all water has left input tank and is either in vapor form, condensed on the cone, or liquid in the bucket, stop the timer.

Target: <2 hrs

Tester: EK

Type: Comparative

Stage: Secondary

State of Solution: Preconstruction

Condition: Preconstruction

Parameter/Specification: Structural integrity, practicality of materials used, ease of use

Tools and Equipment: Bucket, beaker, Tubes, Spigots, Plastics, Water

Procedure:

1.   Compare materials against each other.

2.   Check the tubing for holes or leaks.

3.   Pour water through one tube into a bucket.

4.   Pour water through a second tube into a bucket.

5.   Measure to see which tube had a better retention rate.

6.   Time to see which tube was faster.

7.   Measure to see which tube is longer.

8.   Check the ends of each tube to see which is easier to attach.

9.   Do the same with the different plastics that are to construct the desalination unit.

10. Check the spigot for leaks and holes.

11. Fasten the spigot onto a sink to make sure that it works.

12. Make sure the water flows smoothly.

13. Make sure the spigot is easy to use.

Target: Verify that the unit it structurally sound, make efficiently and easy for people to use

Tester: EH

Type: Assessment

Stage: Tertiary

State of Solution: During Construction

Conditions: Stationary, Outside, On

Parameter/Specification: Ensure that the solar panels generate enough energy to run the UV lights.

Procedure:

1.      Use a wattmeter to measure the amount of out put the solar panel generates.

2.      Compare to the number of watts need to run the UV lights

Target: Ensure that the solar panels function properly.

Tester: GG

Type: Assessment

Stage: Tertiary

State of Solution: Stationary, unconnected from storage unit, mid-production

Conditions: We will use water; equipment should expect to get wet.

Parameter/Specification: Salinity

Tools and Equipment: Refractometer, bucket

Procedure:

1.      Add saltwater to desalination component of solution

2.      Place in sun to start distillation.

3.      Place bucket beneath outflow pipe to collect condensed fresh water

4.      When water has reached appropriate levels (this may take a few hours), dip refractometer into bucket, wetting the testing slide.

5.      Hold refractometer up to a light source, and assess level of salt content.

Target: 0-500ppm

Tester: EK

Type: Assessment

Stage: Tertiary

State of Solution: Stationary, On

Condition: Post-Construction

Parameter/Specification: The water retention rate

Tools and Equipment: Salt water, beaker, bucket, timer

Procedure:

1.      Measure out 40L of salt water.

2.      Pour water into desalination unit.

3.      Start Timer.

4.      End Timer.

5.      Measure the amount of clean water that is in the storage chamber.

6.      Subtract the amount of clean water from the amount of salt water poured in to find the water retention rate.

7.      Measure the amount of clean water it produces in one day.

8.      Make sure it is at least 40L.

Target: Guarantee that the unit does not leak.

Tester: EK

Type: Validation

Stage: Quaternary

State of Solution: Stationary, Off

Condition: Post-Construction

Tools and Equipment: Surveys, pencils, sample group of individuals

Parameter/Specification: Ease of use, aesthetic appeal

Procedure:

1. Check aesthetics.
2. Give out survey to various individuals.
3. Ask individuals to take survey.
4. Collect survey.
5. Review results.
6. Fix desalination unit to adhere to suggestions of the surveyed.

Target: Collect information from volunteers to ensure that the unit is appealing to people

Tester: EH

Type: Validation

Stage: Quaternary

State of Solution: Post-Construction

Conditions: Stationary, Outside, On

Parameter/Specification: Are the electrical components working?

Procedure:

1. Check the wiring, the electricity should be transferring from the solar panel to the UV lights.
2. Check the UV light, they should be burning brightly and not flickering.
3. Check the solar panel, the photovoltaic cells should be generating energy.

Target: Guarantee that the electrical components of the unit are functioning correctly.

Tester: GG

Type: Validation

Stage: Quaternary

State of Solution: Stationary, Fully constructed and Active

Conditions: time-sensitive, we will deal with water, equipment will get wet

Parameter/Specification: Salinity

Tools and Equipment: Refractometer, beaker

Procedure:

1.      Add saltwater to input tank of desalination unit.

2.      Wait 1 day, then collect a sample of water from the storage tank with the beaker.

3.      Dip refractometer into sample, wetting the testing surface.

4.      Hold refractometer up to light source and assess the level of salt content.

Target:  0-500 ppm

Testing Procedures: Individual

Introduction

            Our final design must be a functioning, easily operated, durable product that will be able to provide clean healthy water to needy people.  The unit will clean water by use of the desalination process.  The water will evaporate and will drip into a cylinder, from where gravity will pull the water through a carbon filter and to a separate storage tank.  The product must produce at least 40L of water each day to be able to provide enough for a family.  The unit will also be able to harness solar energy by means of photovoltaic cells.  This gathered energy will power the germicidal lights, which will kill any germs and bacteria in the water. 

            We also expect to build the unit with materials accessible to Chile.  The price of the unit should be in a range where a Chilean family can purchase one, or if necessary, where charities can easily fundraise for one.  We hope that the unit will beseem into the lives of the Chileans, and that our product will become an everyday item.

            When testing the unit, we must make sure that the unit is functioning properly.  We will test all the parts of the unit to guarantee that the unit works as planned.  We will test the evaporation, the tubing, the solar panels, and the UV lights.  We will also be testing the structural integrity of the unit, along with the expenses and the unit’s availability.  We will test the sanitation of the water as well.  We will check the salinity, the pH, and we will test for heavy metals and parasites.

            EK, GG, and I will participate in the testing of our product.  I am in charge of the energy portion of this project.  I will be handling the testing of the solar panel, UV lights, and the wiring.  EK will be testing the mobility of the water, the structural integrity, and avalibility to Chileans.  GG will be testing the desalination process, the quality of the water, and whether or not the water is sufficient for the family.

            The optimum location would be Chile, but we are unable to accomplish this.  We will test the unit outside of our school, on a sunny day, if the whether permits.  This will probably occur in the spring or early summer.  Some testing, such as testing the strength of the materials and the functionality of the UV lights, we will do indoors.  The testing will occur while the product is dry and right side up.  The product will be on during all testing.

Testing Stages

Type: Exploratory/Comparison

Stage: Preliminary

State of Solution: Preconstruction

Conditions: Preconstruction

Parameter/Specification: Which green energy source would be most useful and practical for the unit?

Tools and Equipment: Computer with internet capabilities

Procedure:

1. Search the internet for information about various types of green energy sources
2. Compare and contrast different types
3. Pick an energy source to use

Target: Determine which energy source would be practical for our project.

Type: Exploratory/Comparison

Stage: Secondary

State of Solution: Preconstruction

Conditions: Preconstruction

Parameter/Specification: Determine which photovoltaic cells, solar panel brand, size, and watts we should use for our project, and purchase one.

Tools and Equipment: Computer with internet capabilities
Procedure:

1. Search the internet for different types of solar panels
2. Compare and contrast different types and prices
3. Select  a solar panel to buy

Target: Choose and secure a solar panel to use for the project.

Type: Assessment

Stage: Tertiary

State of Solution: During Construction

Conditions: Stationary, Outside, On

Parameter/Specification: Ensure that the solar panels generate enough energy to run the UV lights.

Tools and Equipment: Wattmeter

Procedure:

1.      Use a wattmeter to measure the amount of out put the solar panel generates.

2.      Compare to the number of watts need to run the UV lights

Target: Ensure that the solar panels function properly.

Type: Validation

Stage: Quaternary

State of Solution: Post-construction

Conditions: Stationary, Outside, On

Parameter/Specification: Are the electrical components working?

Tools and Equipment: Wattmeter

Procedure:

1. Check the wiring, the electricity should be transferring from the solar panel to the UV lights.
2. Check the UV light, they should be burning brightly and not flickering.
3. Check the solar panel, the photovoltaic cells should be generating energy.

Target: Guarantee that the electrical components of the unit are functioning correctly.

Final Isometric Exploded Drawing

This is an exploded isometric view of the desalination unit showing the evaporation chamber, the separate stroage tank, and the photovoltaic cells.

Final Isometric Drawing

This is an isometric view of the desalination unit showing the evaporation chamber, the separate stroage tank, and the photovoltaic cells.

Final Orthographic Drawing

This is an orthographic view of the desalination unit, showing the evaporation chamber, the separate storage tank, and the photovoltaic cells.

Log 2 - 3 October 2011

Accomplished

- Discussed what was missed during days absent

Goals
- Contact mentor

- Fix background information
- Fix calendar

Final Supplies List for Scale Model

• Glue
• Tape (Duct and Scotch)
• Scissors or Exacto Knife
• Black Spray Paint

Materials Final: Scale Model

Solar Panel

• Cardboard - backing of photovoltaic cells
• Thin wooden sticks - support
• Black paper - photovoltaic cells
• Wire - to connect the panel to the UV lights

Adhesives

• Hot glue
• Tape