Testing Procedures: Individual

  Introduction:
       My component of our final solution is expected to quickly and efficiently remove all presence of salt from the input water, making it sufficiently potable for human consumption. My responsibility was to choose a reliable and fitting form of desalination and implement the section of the device responsible for the desalination.
My personal require only that the device desalinate the water, and that it should do so in an efficient and streamlined manner, in order to meet the goal of instilling confidence and self-autonomy in the customers. Thus, my personal tests deal mainly with the chemical parameters of the output water.
        I will test my desalination component on its own before connecting it to the other components of the project for further testing, and the other team members will do the same with their components. The unit will be tested where it is being built - the MAST systems lab. The desalination component will be tested on its own, outside, in alignment with where it would be expected to function in the problem situation. Even when it is connected to the storage unit, the main desalination component will remain outside. The unit will be constantly running, even during testing, which will not affect the chemistry of the water. Parameters will be tested at a sea-level, moderately humid environment. The air of the intended location of usage is much drier, but atmospheric humidity should not adversely affect too much of the process, except for perhaps slowing down the rate of evaporation and therefore the process entirely. However, since it is not feasible to go to a desert to test this equipment, compensations must be made.



Type: Exploratory/Comparison
Stage: Primary
State of Solution: pre-construction
Conditions: Materials have not been gathered. This is not a physical test.
Parameter/Specification: Which method of desalination is most suited to the problem situation?
Tools and Equipment: Computer, Internet, Notepad program
Procedure: 1. Google types of desalination, make a list
                   2. Google each type of desalination, take careful notes
                   3. Compare the desalination types against each other and against the specifications of the problem situation.
                   4. Make a decision re: which type of desalination to use in the final solution.
Target: The cheapest, most low-maintenence and high-yield method of desalination

Type: Assessment:

Stage: Primary

State of Solution: All Materials acquired, unassembled. clear plastic should be shaped into a cone

Conditions: Water will be used, equipment should expect to get wet. This is testing how well water will condense on the plastic cone being used.
Parameter/Specification: Condensation Efficiency/Time

Tools and Equipment: Black Plastic cone, water, bucket, timer

Procedure: 1. Suspend black plastic cone over bucket filled with water

                  2. Heat water, either by putting it in the sun or over a direct heat source

                  3. Time how long it takes for water to condense on black plastic, and how long it takes to start dripping off the tip of the cone.

Target: <1 hr

Type: Assessment
Stage: Secondary
State of Solution: Stationary, unconnected from storage unit, mid-production.
Conditions: time-sensitive, water will be dealt with.
Parameter/Specification: Desalination Efficiency/Time
Tools and Equipment: bucket, timer, graduated cylinder or beaker
Procedure:  1. Measure 2 L of saltwater prior to desalination using a graduated cylinder or beaker
                   2. Place in input tank, place in sun, begin desalination. Start timer
                   3. When all water has left input tank and is either in vapor form, condensed on the cone, or liquid in the bucket, stop the timer.
Target: <2 hrs

Type: Assessment

Stage: Tertiary

State of Solution: Stationary, unconnected from storage unit, mid-production.

Conditions: Water will be used in test, equipment should expect to get wet.
Parameter/Specification: Salinity

Tools and Equipment: Refractometer, bucket

Procedure: 1. Add saltwater to desalination component of solution

                  2. Place in sun to start distillation.

                  3. Place bucket beneath outflow pipe to collect condensed fresh water

                  4. When water has reached appropriate levels (this may take a few hours), dip refractometer into bucket, wetting the testing slide.

                  5. Hold refractometer up to a light source, and assess level of salt content.

Target: 0-500ppm

Type: Validation
Stage: Quaternary
State of Solution: Stationary, Fully constructed and Active
Conditions: time-sensitive, water will be dealt with, equipment will get wet
Parameter/Specification: Salinity
Tools and Equipment: Refractometer, beaker
Procedure:  1. Add saltwater to input tank of desalination unit.

         2. Wait 1 day, then collect a sample of water from the storage tank with the beaker.

         3. Dip refractometer into sample, wetting the testing surface.

         4. Hold refractometer up to light source and assess the level of salt content.

Target:0-500 ppm

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