Solar Distillation

The most urgent human need when faced with the aftermath of a natural disaster is water. This is especially ironic when the victims of the natural disasters are photographed while standing knee deep in water. It’s not the quantity of water that is the problem, but the quality of the water.

A research project in the Renewable Energy Technology (RET) program of the ETSE Dept. is hoping to meet this human need using solar water distillation. Solar distillation is not a new technology, having been in use for more than 100 years. However, most research on the topic centers on improving efficiency. The goal of the RET project is to create a light, easily transportable, very inexpensive distillation unit that can be built from materials available worldwide. The hope is to produce a distillation unit that can convert enough polluted water to provide for a family of four, cost less than $100, and be made by local craftsman using locally available materials.

David Coe, undergraduate researcher, is using polycarbonate sheets typically used in greenhouse construction as his primary material. Polycarbonate sheets are produced on every continent and can be cut, planed and bent to almost any shape; thus eliminating the need for fasteners like nails, screws or glues. The material is very light and distillation units can be shipped easily and quickly to areas where the need is greatest.