Introduction
The Desalination Unit is a device that Gabrielle Goodrow, Erin Krause, I designed to create potable water for coastal Chileans with no ready supply of clean fresh water. We also designed the Unit specifically so that project was environmentally friendly and self-sustaining. The Unit uses Solar Humidification to evaporate water, which rids the water of any debris or minerals dissolved in the water, and leaves behind any pathogens in the water. Gravity then brings the water passed an ultraviolet light, which kills any germs and pathogens that might be in the water, this is a fail safe to ensure that if any pathogens bypassed the evaporation cycle the user would not consume them. After passing the UV light, the water flows into a separate storage tank where the user can easily access the water. The Unit receives power from a solar panel with an adjustable mounting. The solar panel would be mounted somewhere the photovoltaic cells have full access to the sun, and are out of harm’s way, whether on a rooftop or in an open space near the house. My part of the project, the electrical portion, includes the solar panel, UV light, UV housing, and ensuring that the water is pathogen free. The electrical portion is there to guarantee that the water people will be drinking is completely free of pathogens. The electrical portion is also expected run only on green-energy. The testing procedures used are ways to guarantee that the unit is functioning properly. My team, Erin Krause and Gabrielle Goodrow, and I worked on the testing. We also received help from the MCVSD Career Center, Laurie Neyhart, who runs the green house there, and Mrs. Green.
The Testing Procedures
1. 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.
2. Type: Exploratory/Comparison
Stage: Secondary
State of Solution: Preconstruction
Conditions: Preconstruction
Parameter/Specification: Determine which germicidal UV light we should use for our project, and purchase one.
Tools and Equipment: Computer with Internet capabilities
Procedure:
Procedure:
1. Search the internet for different types of germicidal UV lights
2. Compare and contrast different types and prices
3. Select a germicidal UV light to buy
Target: Choose and secure a germicidal UV light to use for the project.
3. 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:
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.
4. Type: Assessment
Stage: Tertiary
State of Solution: During Construction
Conditions: Stationary, Outside, On
Parameter/Specification: Ensure that the solar panels can run the UV light.
Tools and Equipment: eyes
Procedure:
1. Attach the solar panel to the UV light.
2. Do not look directly at the bulb, but see that the light functioning.
Target: Ensure that the two items function properly together.
5. Type: Validation
Stage: Quaternary
State of Solution: Post-construction
Conditions: Stationary, Outside, On
Parameter/Specification: Does any light escape from the UV light housing?
Tools and Equipment: eyes
Procedure:
1. Turn the light on while the bulb is inside the UV housing.
2. Diligently look from all angles.
Target: Guarantee that the electrical components of the unit are functioning correctly.
6. Type: Validation
Stage: Quaternary
State of Solution: Post-construction
Conditions: Stationary, Inside, On
Parameter/Specification: Does the unit purify the water?
Tools and Equipment: Coliform Bacteria Water Test Kit, a sample of the water produced by the Unit
Procedure:
1. Follow the directions given by the kit.
Target: Guarantee that the water is potable.
The Testing
1. 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.
Result: After looking into solar, hydro, wind, wave, tidal, and geothermal, I deemed solar power the most effective given the environment of Chile and the Atacama Desert, while being the most practical for the user.
2. Type: Exploratory/Comparison
Stage: Secondary
State of Solution: Preconstruction
Conditions: Preconstruction
Parameter/Specification: Determine which germicidal UV light we should use for our project, and purchase one.
Tools and Equipment: Computer with Internet capabilities, wires, solar panel, watt/volt meter, socket, socket adapter, battery
Procedure:
Procedure:
1. Search the internet for different types of germicidal UV lights
2. Compare and contrast different types and prices
3. Select a germicidal UV light to buy
Target: Choose and secure a germicidal UV light to use for the project.
Result: I decided a Plusrite, screw-in, mercury-arc, 10.5V, 3w germicidal UV light would be best for the project, and purchased one.
3. Type: Exploratory/Comparison
Stage: Secondary
State of Solution: Preconstruction
Conditions: Preconstruction
Parameter/Specification: Determine which voltage and wattage solar cells, we should use for our project, and purchase one.
Tools and Equipment: Computer with Internet capabilities
Procedure:
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.
Result: I determined that we should use two 6V, 1.5w solar panels and purchased them.
4. Type: Assessment
Stage: Tertiary
State of Solution: During Construction
Conditions: Stationary, Outside, On
Parameter/Specification: Ensure that the solar panels can run the UV light.
Tools and Equipment: eyes
Procedure:
1. Attach the solar panel to the UV light.
2. Do not look directly at the bulb, but see that the light functioning.
Target: Ensure that the two items function properly together.
Result: So far, I have been unable to make the solar panel power the UV light. I have tried various arrangements, different solar panels, regulators, and resistors, but to no avail. When a bulb was given too much voltage the was a flash, and the bulb had blew out. The problem is most likely that the amperage of the solar panels is too low.
5. Type: Validation
Stage: Quaternary
State of Solution: Post-construction
Conditions: Stationary, Outside, On
Parameter/Specification: Does any light escape from the UV light housing?
Tools and Equipment: eyes
Procedure:
1. Turn the light on while the bulb is inside the UV housing.
2. Diligently look from all angles.
Target: Guarantee that the electrical components of the unit are functioning correctly.
Result: Testing has been unable to proceed.
6. Type: Validation
Stage: Quaternary
State of Solution: Post-construction
Conditions: Stationary, Inside, On
Parameter/Specification: Does the unit purify the water?
Tools and Equipment: Coliform Bacteria Water Test Kit, a sample of the water produced by the Unit
Procedure:
1. Follow the directions given by the kit.
Target: Guarantee that the water is potable.
Result: We tested two samples of water one of the cleaned water and one of the brine, each 10ml. The Coliform test confirmed that the processed water was safe to consume.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, I have been unable to complete much of my testing. I have determined that solar power was the best choice. I am in the process of securing a solar panel and a germicidal ultraviolet light, and I started the testing of the processed water. Ultimately, I have not finished my testing and I have a great deal of work left to do.
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