Alternate Solutions

Alternate Solution 1 features a desalination cone followed by 9 chambers of thermal distillation, powered by an array of solar panels on the "roof". The water travels in a circular path from chamber to chamber and eventually drips into a collection basin attached to the bottom of the unit, where UV lights can sanitize it. Water is dispensed through a faucet on the side, perhaps with an attached pitcher.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alternate Solution 2 is basically the same as AS1, except that its storage receptacle is separate from the unit itself, which allows for an indoor storage unit and outdoor desalination unit, connected by a hose. This would make it easier for families to gain access to their fresh water.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~









 Alternate Solution 3 utilized the property of parabolas to focus light at a point to speed up the solar desalination of a desalination cone. A parabola of mirrors would be constructed around an elevated desalination cone, and the rapidly evaporating water would be carried by gravity to a storage receptacle. This configuration had very little power needs but would be difficult to assemble perfectly for maximum efficiency.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~









Alternate Solution 4 also uses the sun as the direct power for the distillation of the seawater. The traditional desalination cone is placed on top of a chambered receptacle, which holds the saltwater (to be evaporated) in an inner chamber, and after it evaporates and condenses, it is allowed to run down the sides of the cone into an outer chamber, and thence through a tube into a storage unit where UV light awaits it. The water in the outer chamber is protected from further evaporation by two slanted flaps that allow water to flow past, but block almost all light. The unit would be placed outside and elevated, so that gravity could carry the freshwater down to a storage unit inside the house. The UV lights are the only things that need power.


NEXT