Thermal desalination using simple stills
A Product that enables anyone, in a most simple fashion, an independent, cheap and mobile solar Potable Water generation from sea water or brackish water on the base of condensation by solar still.
This system represents a conical, self-supporting and stackable unit made from transparent, thermo-formable polycarbonate (same as water dispensers) outfitted with a screw cap spout at the tip and an inward circular collecting trough at the base.
Technically speaking it is a solar still.
Functioning
1. Pour any kind of salty or brackish water into the pan. Then float the cone on top. The black pan absorbs the sunlight and heats up the water to support evaporation.
2. The evaporated water condensates in the form of droplets on the inner wall of the cone. These droplets trickle down the inner wall into a circular trough at the inner base of the cone.
3. By unscrewing the cap at the tip of the cone and turning the cone upside down, one can empty the potable water gathered in the trough directly into any drinking device.
Technical Information
The cone system can be referred to as a one step water condensation process with a 40% effectiveness degree (GTZ Germany).
Based on evaporation levels of 8.8 Liters per square meter (average solar irradiation in Casablanca, Morocco), the WATERCONE® (with a base diameter of 60 - 80 cm) yields between 1.0 to 1.7 Liters of condensed water per day (24 hours).
The salty / brackish water evaporates by way of solar irradiation and the condensation from that water appears in the form of droplets on the inner wall of the cone. These droplets trickle down the inner wall into a circular trough at the inner base of the cone.
By unscrewing the cap at the tip of the cone and turning the cone upside down, one can empty the potable water gathered in the trough directly into a drinking device.
The cone is a long lasting UV resistant Poly Carbonate product made of makrolon®, the high tech material from Bayer and can be used up to 5 years every single day. The material is non-toxic, non-flammable and 100% recyclable.
The black pan for the saltwater is already made out of 100% recycled PC.
As opposed to other types of solar stills which feature electronics, photo-voltaic cells, tubes, filters, many parts, etc. the watercone concept is understood within seconds with absolutely no need for academic background.
Additionally the cone and the pan is made from Bayer Makrolon, a high-tech
- ultra-rugged
- highly recyclable polycarbonate
- virtually insensitive to UV exposure or breakage, an all too common result of rough transport.
- Easy, simple and and cheap transportation
Proven track record
CARE Germany tested 100 Watercones in Yemen in a little fisherman`s village east of Aden.
"...The watercone has been quickly accepted by the users, is robust and easy to understand and to handle, and the quality of the harvested water is very good."
