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