--------------ORIGINAL DESIGN PROPOSAL--------------
ENGR 103 - Spring 2016
Freshman Engineering Design Lab
“Sun-Kissed
Water Purification”
Project
Design Proposal
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Date Submitted: April 07, 2016
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Group Members Tom DeLucia, tpd43@drexel.edu
Kaya
Gentile, kmg399@drexel.edu
Sloane
Woerdeman, sjw83@drexel.edu
Cyrus
Sobhani, cks47@drexel.edu
Technical Advisor Dr. Eugenia Ellis
Long
Nguyen
Abstract:
The
inspiration behind the Sun-Kissed Water Purification project was making
non-drinkable water safe to drink at an affordable price in situations where
drinkable water is not easily accessible. The goals include successful
purification and testing of polluted water in exposed sunlight for a given time
period, to explore the difference between variable sunlight and controlled
artificial light, and to find out how effective each of the two light sources
are at purifying the samples of water. Obstacles include the conditions of the
given day chosen to test, effectiveness of testing the samples of water, and
reducing the overall cost of the materials needed. Creation of a prototype
Sun-Kissed Water Purification Kit and analysis of kits’ performance are the major
tasks to be addressed. Throughout the completion of the experiment, the
accumulation of research will show what conditions work best for the water
bottle to be used in, along with how to better improve the design.
1
Introduction
One of
the largest obstacles to global public health is access to clean, drinkable
water. Developed countries have dependable clean water sources, but still
developing countries often do not. Many methods exist to obtain drinkable
water, like reverse osmosis and the common Brita Filter, but these methods are
often expensive and require relatively “clean” water, meaning low levels of
heavy metals, no chemical contaminants, no human or animal waste contaminants,
etc. Developing countries’ water sources often have all of the “dirty”
properties and have neither the infrastructure nor the economy to afford public
water reserves, nonetheless indoor plumbing. But there exists a simple method
to purify small amounts of water for safe human consumption.
This
method is SODIS, "Solar water disinfection". SODIS only requires a
water source, plastic PET bottles, and sunlight. The bottles are simply filled
with the dirty water and allowed to bask in the sunlight for at least 6 hours,
allowing the UV-A light rays that exist in sunlight to disrupt the reproductive
systems of the harmful bacteria and
parasites and kill them. These microscopic organisms, including E. coli, fecal coliforms, giardia,
salmonella, cryptosporidia, and others, cause gastrointestinal diseases that
strike quickly enough to cause death in countries without proper health care.
Without these bacteria and parasite, the water is drinkable and can be used for
safe cooking. While the SODIS method does not rid the water of heavy metals,
the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the Red Cross all recommend
the SODIS method as a way to treat drinking water in developing countries
(Eawag).
The underlying reasons in which the Sun-Kissed project came
to be, include being able to provide clean, affordable, and energy-efficient
water purification bottles that harness the virtually limitless power of
sunlight. Objectives comprise being able to use the water bottle as an actual
safe purification system, gathering enough beta testing data to draw
conclusion’s of effectiveness of both sunlight and artificial light, and
figuring out how cost effective the end product can be. A sound foundation of
knowledge of different forms of microorganisms and the impact that they have on
the human body, how UV light kills specific harmful bacteria, as well as
material science will be key learning outcomes throughout. The creation of
Sun-Kissed water-purification kits and analysis of the kits’ purification
performance are the major tasks to be addressed. Obstacles include the
conditions of the given day chosen to test, effectiveness of water testing
procedures, and reducing the overall cost of the materials needed. The most
desired outcome of the project is data reflecting adequate purification of both
urban and suburban water samples in cases of variable and controlled UV light
exposure.
2
Deliverables
By the end of the ten-week design process, a prototype of a
water-purification kit, that can effectively kill gastrointestinal
disease-causing bacteria and parasites with the use of a filtration system and varying
amounts of UV rays, will be produced. Along with the physical model, analysis
of the Sun-Kissed system performance will be delivered in a final report and
presentation.
3
Technical Activities
3.1
Phase 1: Bottle Research
First, research on the best design of a water-purifying
bottle will be needed. This will be done by gathering information from the
World Health Organization (WHO), the primary authority on public health and
SODIS, and from several outdoor experts and their research. Several methods and
models exist, both as complete units for purchase and how-to guides to build
one’s own from other materials. There are variable designs in the areas of plastic materials, bottle volume, cap properties,
filtration properties, etc. Some accessories are suggested as well, like an
aluminum reflector to lay under the bottle, something to elevate the bottle at
the best angle, etc. The elaborate research necessary will prevent the need for
trial and error testing for this first prototype. In the future after beta testing,
more designs could be tested to completion.
3.2
Phase 2: Bottle Design
After reviewing the consensus on the best materials, size,
cap and filtration properties, accessories and all other variables in the
design, this group will then select the best combination, including the group’s
own individual improvements and ideas, specifically the filtration element of
the bottle. Most current designs do not include a filter to catch particulate
matter in the dirty water, so it will be a main element of this design process.
3.3
Phase 3: Bottle Beta Testing
After the most adequate bottle design is finalized, the beta
testing can begin - when exposed to UV light, does the design actually rid the
water of gastrointestinal disease-causing bacteria E.coli, fecal coliforms, and others? How drinkable is the water,
truly?
3.3.1 Lighting
Design
Before the water can be cleaned, a method of cleaning must
be designed. From each water source, one sample will be exposed to pure UV
light from a UV lamp for at least 6 hours, and the other to some amount of
daylight outside for at least 6 hours, to represent controlled and variable
light exposure, respectively. The rig to hold the UV lamp will need to be
designed, and how to maintain the light over a 6 hour span will be planned as
well. As for daylight, the most adequate place for 6 hour sunlight exposure
must be located. A plan to maintain sunlight without shade or disturbances must
also be made. The group can expect at least one fully sunny day in a two week
interval, but in the event of no sunny days, 48 hours of cloudy skies exposure
can suffice, but is not as preferable.
3.3.2 Sample
Collection
Once lighting has been prepared, water samples can be taken.
Samples will be collected from a urban source, along the Schuylkill River
Trail, and from a suburban source, from a park in Lower Merion. Source
collection will occur within 2 days of light exposure and water testing. There
will not be one bulk sample from each type of source, tested every two weeks,
rather, fresh water samples will be taken each time testing is done. This will
require traveling to source locations in the suburbs and center city for each
test, a small hurdle in the experimental process, but a necessary one.
3.3.3
Sample Preparation
Each water sample (approximately 32 fluid ounces) will first
be tested for the presence of harmful bacteria and parasites, using a common
water testing kit. This will create a comparison point for the presence of the
harmful bacteria before versus after solar treatment. The sample will then be
split in half volumetrically (approximately 16 fluid ounces each), half going
in a bottle that will absorb pure UV light inside, and half going in a bottle
that will absorb variable UV light from sunlight, outside. Then each half
sample will be funneled into the water-purification bottle through filter
paper, as contained in the Sun-Kissed water-purification kit. This funneling
will be slow to allow for proper filtration through the folded paper. The
bottles will be capped and allowed to rest.
3.3.4
Light Exposure
Once prepared, one water sample will be allowed to absorb UV
light for at least 6 hours. To demonstrate the most ideal sunlight exposure,
one sample from each type of source will remain in the dLUX light lab under a
pure UV light. The other sample from that type of source will sit outside in
the natural daylight on a sunny day. For example, 2 samples from a creek in the
suburbs will be taken, one will sit inside under pure light, one will sit
outside under variable light.
3.3.5
Water Testing
After the bottles have absorbed their 6 hours of UV light,
they will be tested using a bacteria in water testing kit. The water testing
kit is initially designed for testing waste contamination of pools and spas,
but after research and contacting the manufacturer, it has been determined the
kit will be appropriate for this project. The testing kit gives a positive or
negative result. Each bottle will be tested for the positive or negative result
of harmful bacteria and parasites, and the results will be recorded. There will
be 4 rounds of sampling and testing for maximum data points over the ten-week
term. The following is a likely table to be used to record data.
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City Water Sample
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Suburbs Water
Sample
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Round 1 Date
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Before Any Treatment
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After Lamp
Treatment
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After Sunlight
Treatment
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Before Any
Treatment
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After Lamp
Treatment
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After Sunlight
Treatment
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Round 2
Date
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Before Any
Treatment
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After Lamp
Treatment
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After Sunlight
Treatment
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Before Any
Treatment
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After Lamp
Treatment
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After Sunlight
Treatment
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Round 3
Date
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Before Any
Treatment
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After Lamp
Treatment
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After Sunlight
Treatment
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Before Any
Treatment
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After Lamp
Treatment
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After Sunlight
Treatment
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Round 4
Date
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Before Any
Treatment
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After Lamp
Treatment
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After Sunlight
Treatment
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Before Any
Treatment
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After Lamp
Treatment
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After Sunlight
Treatment
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3.4 Phase 4: Data Analysis and Redesign
Several types of data analysis will be necessary after the
data has been collected. Outlier data may need to be cut from the data set,
percentages of cleanliness will be calculated, and the like. Overall, an solid
statement of how effective the Sun-Kissed Water Purification Kit is at ridding
variable water samples containing harmful bacteria and parasites after variable
and controlled light exposure will be gained. After testing has been completed,
a new model for the Sun-Kissed Water Purification Kit may be necessary. Future
updates may include an color-change indicator of harmful bacteria on the inside
of the cap to reflect presence of harmful bacteria before and after solar
exposure, to show users the effectiveness of their own use of the Sun-Kissed
Kit.
3.5 Phase 5: Final Report
Construction
Lastly, a report and presentation of the results of the
design process, the beta testing, and the analysis will be prepared to share
with the engineering community.
4
Project Timeline
Phase 1 Bottle
Research: First, research will be collected on the best bottle design.
Then, the list of raw materials needed for the model (the Sun-Kissed Water
Purification Kit materials and the materials necessary for beta testing) will
be constructed and parts will ordered within the following week. This will all
occur weeks 1 and 2.
Phase 2 Bottle
Design: The bottle design will take place during week 2 and 3. During week 2, the details of the design will
be drawn up, and during week 3 an assembly will be created using the materials
mentioned in the budget.
Phase 3 Bottle Beta
Testing: Beta testing of each bottle
will take place during weeks 3, 5, 7, and 9.
This allows for 4 different trials of data, in case any outlying data is
present. The 2-week spread also allows
for data on the slight seasonal change from early spring to early summer to be
taken into account.
Phase 4 Data Analysis
and Redesign: Data analysis will take place during weeks 4, 6, 8, and
10. This allows for a week-long window
to analyze and apply the data from each subsequent week. Redesign will occur
last, around week 10 to be included in the final report and presentation, and
only gives future recommendations.
Phase 5 Final Report
Construction: Preparation for the final report will commence during week 8
and will be finalized at the beginning of week 10 when the analysis of the fourth trial has been completed.
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Week
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Task
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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6
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7
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8
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9
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10
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Phase 1
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X
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X
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Phase 2
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X
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X
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Phase 3
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X
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X
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X
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X
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Phase 4
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X
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X
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X
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X
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Phase 5
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X
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X
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X
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5
Facilities and Resources
The only outside resources necessary for this project are
water access, transportation to water sources via public transit, on-campus
workspace for water testing, the use of the dLUX light lab for the UV lamp, and
continued mentorship from the technical advisers over the ten-week period.
6
Expertise
Many
research and practical skills will be exercised during the production of the
Sun-Kissed Water Purification Kit. A basic knowledge of the SODIS procedure and
of the procedure for a water-testing kit works is essential for being able to
determine what particulates are in water samples. Also, when designing the
actual water bottle, creative and reasoning skills will be necessary; for it is
doubtful that the first design will have no complications. The dLUX lab will be
used during the duration of the design process so lab skills will also come
into play. Lastly, basic computer skills will be needed to track the research
and to create the blog.
7
Budget *Exact products and their links are not
finalized*
Water Testing Kits: The water testing kits needed for this project
will come in packets of 2, therefore 12 kits will be necessary (for the
cumulative 24 tests that need to be run).
Each packet costs around 9 dollars, so the total cost comes to about
$120 including shipping and tax.
Water Bottles: A bag of 50 16-ounce water bottles will be bought in
order to simulate the amount of liquid in a standard 16-ounce water bottle. The bottles will cost about $20.
Although more sustainable, recycled bottles cannot be used because of possible
contamination, definite wear, and buying new bottles prevents the need for
washing and drying dozens of bottles.
http://www.bulkapothecary.com/plastic-clear-bullet-cosmo-round-bottles/
Filtration System: A pack of
100 Standard 7cm filter papers will be bought in order to create a kit that
allows for large particles such as dirt and rocks to be filtered out prior to
the disinfecting process.
Accessories: Several
accessories may be purchased as well during the design process, for example, a
kind of aluminum foil for maximum light reflection. Accessories should not cost
more than $15.
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Category
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Projected Cost
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Water Testing Kits
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~$120
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Water Bottles
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~$20
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Filtration System
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~$5
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Accessories
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~$15
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TOTAL
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~$160
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Total cost/ group member
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~$40
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8 References
Eawag.
"How Does It Work?" SODIS.
HELVETAS, 24 May 2011. Web. 06 Apr. 2016.
<http://www.sodis.ch/methode/anwendung/index_EN>.
---------Updated Project Objectives, Procedures, Etc.-------------
- This project began solely focused on perfecting SODIS. But the group's aspirations grew to include a filtration unit to add to the conventional SODIS system. This will include a small 3D-printed screw-on bottle cap, with a tall cylinder containing packets of filtration materials than can be used to reduce water hardness and turbidity before being purified by UVA light. The filter unit will be easily unscrewed and stored for reuse. Hardness tests will be simultaneously with bacteria tests before and after purification and filtration. The need for hardness kits and filter materials will add another $40 to the budget.
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