Clever tech
Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2010 5:47 am
Using this as a repository for clever, inexpensive, decentralised tech that makes a difference. Any contributions welcome, or links to sites that already do this.
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Bio-Sand Filter, a Solution to Dirty Water
Kampala — A BIO-SAND Filter is one of the simple solutions needed by Ugandan communities that have for long suffered from using dirty water sources.
"A bio-sand filter uses layers that can filter the water clean without the need to boil it," explains Doctor Moses Musaazi.
The product is one of the several from Technology for Tomorrow, an innovative company that produces energy saving products which also provides consultancy allover Uganda and Africa.
"It's a hollow structure that you fill with stones and sand. When you pour water on top, it forms a biological layer. When you pour the dirty water into the facility, it goes through the layer which captures any bacteria. The water is filtered by stones and sand to the bottom and up again. By the time the journey is completed, it's pure," he adds.
Musaazi says the facility filters one litre of water per minute which means that one needs 20 minutes to fill a twenty-litre jerrycan.
"The bio-sand filter costs sh150,000 (€50) and it can be used by a home or a community. You invest once and get results over and over again," Musaazi says.
"The water we drink at the river went through the same process from the highlands and we have done a small replica. This has been tested in a laboratory and is clean, so there shouldn't be any fear of contamination," says Musaazi of the process.
While about 200 bio-sand filters have been sold, Musaazi acknowledges the need for sensitisation about the process to allow more uptakes.
The innovator is now thinking of adding Moringa seeds to the filter so that even storm water which runs off the road can be cleaned to drinkable state.
Musaazi, an engineer, has innovations in the areas of safe water, sustainable building, solid waste disposal and sanitation and girl-child education.
The first eco-friendly pads made out of papyrus is an innovation of Musaazi's.
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Micro Desalination Plants Unveiled
Ondangwa — Two small-scale, state-of-the-art desalination plants were inaugurated at the villages of Amarika and Akutsima in the Omusati Region last week.
The desalination plants are a joint Namibia-German effort on solar-driven pilot plants to provide the local population with clean drinking water in an essential component of the Cuvelai water system, which seeks to find sustainable solutions to water supply.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Petrus Iilonga, inaugurated the two facilities last week in the presence of representatives from local authorities, as well as representatives of CuveWaters, traditional leaders and communities.
"The implementation of these small-scale plants to desalinate the saline groundwater complements the efforts of the Swapo Party government to increase water security in remote rural areas. Clean drinking water is indispensable for a healthy life," Iilonga stressed.
Saying the project is the property of the community, Iilonga urged communities to protect the facilities and to guard them jealously against vandalism. He also called on communities to add value to the project by producing their own bottled water for selling in order to generate income.
"This water is clean and healthy and you can add value to it by bottling it for local consumption as well as export purposes," he noted.
According to Professor Wilhelm Urban, from the Technical University of Darmstadt, Institute (IWAR) in Germany, the plant at Akutsima can provide a minimum of 3 500 litres or 140 jerry cans per day.
Meanwhile, the second desalination plant at Akutsima, with a capacity of 4500 litres or 180 jerry cans per day, is expected to be commissioned next year, Urban told New Era in an interview. Equipment has already been ordered from Germany.
Urban pointed out that desalination technologies powered by solar energy in the interest of environmental sustainability at the two plants are different. At Amarika, a membrane system or a chemical-free reverse-osmosis is used. However, the plant at Akutsima uses a multi-effect humidification evaporation process. Technical support is provided from Terra-Water.
He told New Era that German companies will continue to provide further training to locals in order to increase their skills in running and maintaining the plants, especially after the pilot phase of two years.
"Furthermore, we have to find sustainable solutions for a long term technical service provision, clear responsibility lines for a long-term operation at affordable cost for consumers," he said.
Relevant Links
According to Irene Nunes of Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN), a base-line health survey will be conducted towards the end of October to determine the health effect of the desalinated water on communities.
The two villages were selected because the area is devoid of water bodies, and groundwater is often saline. In some places, the salt content of the groundwater is three times higher than seawater.
Governor of the Omusati Region, Sacky Kanyone, thanked CuveWaters, Terra-Waters and the German Government for addressing the needs of these communities.
The event was attended by a representative of the Ongandjera King, Tate Jafet Munkundi, Headman of the Akutsima village and senior officials.
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http://multieffecthumidification.com/
R.E.D. is a low energy evaporative/condensing process which has no expensive membranes and filters to replace - ever! Instead it uses heat - just like the sun - to evaporate seawater from liquid to vapour - no chemicals - and no moving parts in the process (of course we still use pumps) - requires minimal staff and the water condensed is perfectly 100% clean - all the time - everytime - just like nature - without CO2. Our engineers put it in a box, and now it rains pure water in a box.
In the process, salt-water is heated and steam rises, evaporation leaves all solids and impurities behind. The steam condensed is always the purest water - but not so tasty - since there are no minerals either. We make available minerals by running our water over special rocks and re energize water through magnetic fields, and spiral water-ways designed to oxygenate the water and get it's life-force active - making the most excellent healthy and best tasting Liquid Sun Water.
RED is very energy efficient but requires a large area of space relative to water produced, so it's not large scale desalination. At present one module can produce up to 50,000 litres per day.
_____________________
Bio-Sand Filter, a Solution to Dirty Water
Kampala — A BIO-SAND Filter is one of the simple solutions needed by Ugandan communities that have for long suffered from using dirty water sources.
"A bio-sand filter uses layers that can filter the water clean without the need to boil it," explains Doctor Moses Musaazi.
The product is one of the several from Technology for Tomorrow, an innovative company that produces energy saving products which also provides consultancy allover Uganda and Africa.
"It's a hollow structure that you fill with stones and sand. When you pour water on top, it forms a biological layer. When you pour the dirty water into the facility, it goes through the layer which captures any bacteria. The water is filtered by stones and sand to the bottom and up again. By the time the journey is completed, it's pure," he adds.
Musaazi says the facility filters one litre of water per minute which means that one needs 20 minutes to fill a twenty-litre jerrycan.
"The bio-sand filter costs sh150,000 (€50) and it can be used by a home or a community. You invest once and get results over and over again," Musaazi says.
"The water we drink at the river went through the same process from the highlands and we have done a small replica. This has been tested in a laboratory and is clean, so there shouldn't be any fear of contamination," says Musaazi of the process.
While about 200 bio-sand filters have been sold, Musaazi acknowledges the need for sensitisation about the process to allow more uptakes.
The innovator is now thinking of adding Moringa seeds to the filter so that even storm water which runs off the road can be cleaned to drinkable state.
Musaazi, an engineer, has innovations in the areas of safe water, sustainable building, solid waste disposal and sanitation and girl-child education.
The first eco-friendly pads made out of papyrus is an innovation of Musaazi's.
__________________________________
Micro Desalination Plants Unveiled
Ondangwa — Two small-scale, state-of-the-art desalination plants were inaugurated at the villages of Amarika and Akutsima in the Omusati Region last week.
The desalination plants are a joint Namibia-German effort on solar-driven pilot plants to provide the local population with clean drinking water in an essential component of the Cuvelai water system, which seeks to find sustainable solutions to water supply.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Petrus Iilonga, inaugurated the two facilities last week in the presence of representatives from local authorities, as well as representatives of CuveWaters, traditional leaders and communities.
"The implementation of these small-scale plants to desalinate the saline groundwater complements the efforts of the Swapo Party government to increase water security in remote rural areas. Clean drinking water is indispensable for a healthy life," Iilonga stressed.
Saying the project is the property of the community, Iilonga urged communities to protect the facilities and to guard them jealously against vandalism. He also called on communities to add value to the project by producing their own bottled water for selling in order to generate income.
"This water is clean and healthy and you can add value to it by bottling it for local consumption as well as export purposes," he noted.
According to Professor Wilhelm Urban, from the Technical University of Darmstadt, Institute (IWAR) in Germany, the plant at Akutsima can provide a minimum of 3 500 litres or 140 jerry cans per day.
Meanwhile, the second desalination plant at Akutsima, with a capacity of 4500 litres or 180 jerry cans per day, is expected to be commissioned next year, Urban told New Era in an interview. Equipment has already been ordered from Germany.
Urban pointed out that desalination technologies powered by solar energy in the interest of environmental sustainability at the two plants are different. At Amarika, a membrane system or a chemical-free reverse-osmosis is used. However, the plant at Akutsima uses a multi-effect humidification evaporation process. Technical support is provided from Terra-Water.
He told New Era that German companies will continue to provide further training to locals in order to increase their skills in running and maintaining the plants, especially after the pilot phase of two years.
"Furthermore, we have to find sustainable solutions for a long term technical service provision, clear responsibility lines for a long-term operation at affordable cost for consumers," he said.
Relevant Links
According to Irene Nunes of Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN), a base-line health survey will be conducted towards the end of October to determine the health effect of the desalinated water on communities.
The two villages were selected because the area is devoid of water bodies, and groundwater is often saline. In some places, the salt content of the groundwater is three times higher than seawater.
Governor of the Omusati Region, Sacky Kanyone, thanked CuveWaters, Terra-Waters and the German Government for addressing the needs of these communities.
The event was attended by a representative of the Ongandjera King, Tate Jafet Munkundi, Headman of the Akutsima village and senior officials.
____________________
http://multieffecthumidification.com/
R.E.D. is a low energy evaporative/condensing process which has no expensive membranes and filters to replace - ever! Instead it uses heat - just like the sun - to evaporate seawater from liquid to vapour - no chemicals - and no moving parts in the process (of course we still use pumps) - requires minimal staff and the water condensed is perfectly 100% clean - all the time - everytime - just like nature - without CO2. Our engineers put it in a box, and now it rains pure water in a box.
In the process, salt-water is heated and steam rises, evaporation leaves all solids and impurities behind. The steam condensed is always the purest water - but not so tasty - since there are no minerals either. We make available minerals by running our water over special rocks and re energize water through magnetic fields, and spiral water-ways designed to oxygenate the water and get it's life-force active - making the most excellent healthy and best tasting Liquid Sun Water.
RED is very energy efficient but requires a large area of space relative to water produced, so it's not large scale desalination. At present one module can produce up to 50,000 litres per day.