Log Wed 30 Nov 2011

Accomplished:
-edited press release
-turned in final plan of procedures for construction approval

Goals:
-construct intake pipe
-construct outflow pipe

Log Mon 28 Nov 2011

Accomplished:
-procured PVC, funnels, barrel, clear plastic for lid and cone, and adhesives for final product
-revamped cone design
-updated PoP re: cone design

Goals:
-procure bulkhead fittings for final product
-begin construction of intake/outtake pipes

Log Wed 23 Nov 2011

Accomplished:
-researched prices of all materials
-made cohesive shopping list so as not to waste Guiseppe's time
-collected some materials from lab

Goals:
-buy all materials
-begin construction

Log Mon 21 Nov 2011

Accomplished:
-contacted mentor
-finish press release
-finish calendar dates

Goals:
-assemble materials for final product
-begin construction

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Systems Engineering 2: Solar Desalination Device

Presentation Announcement

Highlands, NJ, 17 January 2012 - The Marine Academy of Science and Technology Senior Project Presentations begin. One project is the Desalination Unit project, co-run by Gabrielle Goodrow, Emily Hagge, and Erin Krause. Ms. Goodrow's specific jurisdiction was the desalination portion of the project.

Gabrielle Goodrow is a senior at MAST, whose engineering interest was sparked by Isaac Asimov novels. She plans on studying biomedical engineering in college.

     Freshwater shortage is a global problem, and has devastating effects. In the Atacama Desert, Chile, freshwater deprivation has advanced, and villages are relocating to cities, straining Chile’s economy. If villages had freshwater, they could maintain their culture. This group has designed and constructed a compact solar desalination unit for use on a per-household basis. The product will supplement the water supply of an Atacaman family without requiring undue maintenance or power. This working solution could be manufactured and spread throughout the world, helping millions.

Project Description

            Problem and Solution

Fig 1: Maps of Northern Chile (left) and the Atacama Desert (right)

The Atacama Desert (Fig 1.) has long been known as the driest on Earth. The average rainfall there is one millimetre per year, and some weather stations have never reported precipitation. The small towns clustered around the edges and near oases have not prospered, but have managed to survive. However, since the mining boom of the 1990s, large corporations have begun to take over the mineral-rich area. Chile's free-market water rights system allowed the mining companies to buy the rights to nearby fresh rivers and lakes to use in their plants, poisoning the only water source that the towns have. The only water resources left are the salt lakes on the flats and the oceanic inlets.

Fig 2: Isometric rendering of component

This solar humidification desalination (Fig 2.) device aims to alleviate the water shortage in the Atacama region. Families will only have to pour saltwater into the device, and they will be supplied with potable water in their homes. The device requires no power grid or infrastructure. All materials used are also easily available and cheap, so the units would be accessible for rural families. If manufactured large-scale, towns could even grow. This device has the potential to help millions of families and make use of one of the world’s most abundant substances - salt water.

            Mentor Involvement

            To aid in conceptualization and construction of the desalination component, Ms. Goodrow turned to Dr. Robert Miskewitz, of Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Dr. Miskewitz teaches a systems engineering course at Rutgers, and mentors many students at the university. They communicated on a regular basis about materials, construction methods, and practicality. Without his involvement, the project would not have gone as smoothly, and the final product would look very different.

           

STEMM Principles

            STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Math) principles were integral to the design and construction of this device. The science of water evaporation and components that can affect this was important, as was a scientific understanding of the principles of adhesion and cohesion (when designing the condensation cone). In timing the output volume to give the users enough water without overflowing their receptacle, the group had to measure evaporation and condensation rates and compare them to the predicted rate of water usage to determine how much buffer time they wanted between device activation and first usage.

Upcoming Presentation

            Content

            This upcoming presentation will cover the design process and selection of a design all the way up through construction of the final prototype. Both the scale model and final product will be displayed, and preliminary test results of the final product will be discussed.

Expectations

            Of Final Product

            This final product will be expected to augment significantly the water supply of a typical Atacaman family (40L/d) without putting a strain on the culture, maintenance- or power-wise. The device should integrate seamlessly into their routine, merely helping them to maintain their way of life by providing them with the most basic right of fresh water.

           

Scaling Up

            If this device is successful in this region, the concept could be manufactured and distributed to water-scarce areas around the globe as a decentralized and efficient way to return autonomy to areas parched due to water pollution, agricultural water theft, or climate change. The device works not only for purification of saltwater, but really of most dirty water – distillation removes a vast majority of impurities, transforming any water source into a viable option for these communities.

            Obviously, this is a high school project with impacts that reach far beyond the typical bounds. This simple device could represent survival and prosperity for countless communities. The device uses the power of the sun to distill saltwater into drinkability, and the device does this with no connection to existing infrastructure whatsoever. On January 20, 2011, at the Marine Academy, the final prototype of this device will be presented and the implications explored by Ms. Goodrow and her groupmates. 

For more details about the Desalination Unit in Sandy Hook, NJ, please contact Gabrielle

Goodrow at gabrielle.goodrow@gmail.com, or visit the Marine Academy of Science and

Technology at mast.mcvsd.org

About the Marine Academy of Science and Technology

     The Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) is a co-ed four-year high school, grades 9-12; one of five career academies administered by the Monmouth County Vocational School District. The Marine Academy is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges and offers small classes with close personal attention. The Marine Academy was founded in 1981 as a part-time program, which has since grown to become a full-time diploma-granting program. The school’s curriculum focuses on marine sciences and marine technology/engineering. The MAST program requires each student to participate in the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) in lieu of Physical Education.

     MAST is located in the Fort Hancock Historic Area at the top of Sandy Hook, New Jersey. The school campus is located adjacent to the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the oldest working lighthouse in the country, in thirteen newly renovated buildings, within walking distance of several beaches. The “Blue Sea” is a 65-foot research vessel owned and operated by the Marine Academy and berthed at the U.S. Coast Guard Station, Sandy Hook. The vessel is used in all facets of the program.

- ### -

For additional information:

Marine Academy of Science and Technology

732-749-3360

Gabrielle Goodrow, E: gabrielle.goodrow@gmail.com

Wendy Green, V: 732-291-0095

Log Fri 18 November 2011

Accomplished:
-short paragraph on assembly
-finished screenshots for step-by-step assembly and final product re: PoP
-added hinge to lid on CAD
-80% done with Press Release
-contacted mentor
-updated calendar schedules

Goals:
-Press Release
-obtain materials for final product!

Calendar Scedules MP2

Plan of Procedures for Desalination Unit

Desalination Component, Fully Assembled

Introduction:
The desalination unit product is not one that has highly intricate moving parts or delicate materials, but that does not mean that care should not be taken in the construction of this apparatus. The unit will consist of two water receptacles, one serving to remove the saline component of saltwater and one to irradiate and store the water for future human consumption. The entire apparatus will be connected by PVC pipes, and the UV lights which purify the water during its tenure in the second container will be powered by a solar panel array.
GMG's responsibility will be the first portion of the unit - the initial water input and desalination. This will entail construction of not only the receptacle but also of the desalination cone on which the freshwater would condense. GMG is responsible for piping the freshwater to the exterior of the desalination component, and from there EK will take over.

Supply List

Item	Description	QTY	Size	Remarks
1	Epoxy Resin	1	Tube	Shaping of Cone, adherence to lid
2	Caulk	1	Tube	Attaining watertight status
3	Black Paint	1	Gallon Can	Raising heat retention of receptacle
4	Marker	1	Standard	Marking Areas to drill and cut

Materials Processing and Tools

The most important of our materials, the barrel, does not change much in terms of materials processing. Holes are drilled for the outtake of freshwater and a plastic cone will be added instead of the lid. PVC will capture and transfer the water away from the component.

Tools and Equipment List

Item	Description	Use
1	Power Drill	Drill holes for outtake and intake
2	Power Hand Saw	Cut Pipe to proper length and/or modify barrel
3	Exacto Knife	Shape Pipe ends and widen outtake/intake holes
4	Paint Atomizer	Spray paint onto surface of barrel evenly
5	Clamps	Keep areas which are being glued pressed together

Material Processing Procedures
For GMG's component of the desalination unit, she must produce not only the primary saltwater receptacle and desalination cone on which the freshwater will condense, but also an intake pipe with overflow mitigation and a catchement device which will transport condensed fresh water out of the barrel

Item	Description	QTY	Size	Remarks
1	55-gallon drum	1	22.5”x33.5”	Base of component, holds saltwater initally
2	Flexible Plastic Painter’s Tarp	1	Meter squared	Forms condensation cone
3	PVC Pipe	2	Meter, 1.5” diameter	Conducts water from desalination component to storage component, and forms intake pipe.
4	Plastic Funnel	2	varies	Collects water from desalination cone, conducts water through intake pipe
5	Bulkhead Fitting	2	1.5”	Seals intake/outtake valves
6	Hinge	1	3.5”x2”	Attatches lid to Barrel
7	Plexiglass	1	3’x4’	Forms lid of component
8	Weight	1	10g	Weighs down point of cone

Receptacle:

1. Use S4 to mark intake and outflow areas on M1, and area for lid
2. Use T1 to drill intake and outflow holes at appropriate points on M1
3. Use T2 to detatch M1 top. Discard.
4. Insert M5 in both intake and outflow holes
5. Use S2 to waterproof any weak areas.
6. Use T1 to attach M6 to lid and barrel.
7. Use T4 to spray S3 evenly over M1 entirety.

Part P2: Funnel and Outflow
1. Use S4 to mark length of M3 needed
2. Use T2 to cut length of M3.
3. Use S1 to attatch one M4 to M3 length.
4. Use T3 to shape ends and clean up sloppy S1 residue.

Part P3: Intake Funnel
1. Use S4 to mark length of M3 needed
2. Use T2 to cut length of M3.
3. Use S1 to attach one M4 to M3 length.
4. Use T3 to shape ends and clean up sloppy S1 residue.

Part P4: Desalination Cone
1. Use T3 to cut .5m square of M2
2. Mark centre with S4
3. Affix M8 to centre with S1.
4. Use T2 to cut 22.5" diameter circle out of M7
5. Affix edges of M2 square to M7 with S1
6. Allow 24 hours for full drying

Assembly Procedures
The final assembly for this product mainly involves attaching the intake and outflow components to the receptacle and aligning them properly, and attaching the desalination cone to the lid of the reservoir. It should take little effort, and the only time constraint is how long the epoxy will need to dry - to affix the cone to the lid. Other than that, final assembly is remarkably painless.

Item	Description	QTY	Size	Remarks
1	Receptacle	1	22.5” x 33.5”	Holes drilled for P2 and P3, hinged lid
2	Intake Funnel and Pipe	1	18”x1.5” (3.5” funnel diameter)	Insert into intake hole on P1
3	Outflow Funnel and Pipe	1	10”x1.5” (3.5” funnel diameter)	Insert into outflow hole on P1
4	Desalination Cone	1	22.5”x1’	Attach to P1 lid

1. Insert P2 into appropriate hole on P1. Align so funnel faces upward.

2. Insert P3 into appropriate hole on P1. Align so funnel is facing upward in exact center of M1.

3. Use S1 to attach P4 to P1 lid.

4. Use T5 to clamp P4 to P1 lid for at least 2 hours

5. Use T4 and S3 to touch-up any flaking paint.

6. Use S2 to touch-up any unforseen weak spots

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

Rendering of Final Product
(Final Product will be Black)

Log Wed 16 November 2011

Accomplished:
-edited AutoCAD drawings for increased specificity
-updated related posts
- started screenshots for step-by-step assembly and final product re: PoP

Goals:
-short paragraph on Assembly
-finish screenshots for step-by-step assembly and final product re: PoP
-add hinge to lid on CAD

Log Mon 14 November 2011

Accomplished:
-finished supply chart and tool chart for Plan of Procedures
-finished description of Materials Processing Procedures for PoP
-finished Materials Processing Chart
-finished Materials Processing Procedure List
-finished Assembly Procedures Chart

Goals:
-brief description of Assembly
-Image of final product assembled? AutoCAD?
-Images of along-the-way assembly procedures
-edit AutoCad drawings for increased specificity

Log Tues 8 October 2011

Accomplished:
-finished presentation
-started MP2 calendar

Goals:
-materials chart
-plan of procedures
-discuss dimensions and spout placement with group