Testing Procedures Completed

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

End Result: Solar humidification was pinpointed as the ideal method for this device due to its ubiquity and low energy uptake.

Type: Assessment:

Stage: Primary

State of Solution: All Materials acquired, unassembled.

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. Stretch clear plastic sheet over bucket filled with water

                  2. Heat water by putting it under a direct heat source

                  3. Start a timer and check back every fifteen minutes. Mark when water first appears on plastic and when plastic is completely covered. After two hours, report on formation of droplets.

Target: <1 hr for appearance of condensation, <1.5 hr for complete coverage, <2 hrs for droplet formation
End Result: The clear plastic was covered with a thin sheen of condensed water after 1.5 hours. Water first started appearing on the plastic in sparse amounts after 45 minutes. After two hours, the droplets were large enough that disturbing the plastic sheet by tapping on it would cause droplets to fall back into the reservoir.