Used tire-based solar desalination tech makes 3.67 liters of drinking water daily
Story by Mrigakshi Dixit
Nov 1,2024
Water scarcity is a global crisis, affecting millions of people around the world.
Researchers at Dalhousie University have developed a low-cost, solar-powered water desalination device.
This innovative device utilizes the power of the sun to purify seawater, making it safe to drink. It’s designed to be portable and easy to use, making it ideal for remote and underserved communities.
What makes this device stand out is its unconventional design, which incorporates recycled tires. These discarded materials are transformed into a key device component, providing a sustainable and affordable solution.
Shows promise in testingThis solar still technology was inspired by “refractory plasmonics,” a field focused on creating nanomaterials that can efficiently harness and convert light into heat. These materials, particularly effective in harsh conditions, are crucial for the solar still’s ability to desalinate water efficiently.
The device quickly desalinates water through a simple process.
Ocean water is drawn to the foam surface by a wicking system and evaporated by solar-heated plasmonic materials. The purified water vapor rises and condenses on the transparent dome, then flows down the sides into a sealed collection bag, leaving the salt behind.
Defying expectations, the device generated 3.67 liters of fresh water each day during the test in Halifax Harbour.
“Maximizing the use of sunlight means our plasmonic solar still can generate large amounts of water while maintaining a simple design,” said Matthew Margeson, one of the developers.
“It’s exciting to showcase the effectiveness of the still on a real-world scale and prove that this type of device has the potential to bring freshwater to places that desperately need it,” Margeson added.
Use of discarded tiresPrecious metals like gold and silver are commonly used in plasmonic materials, but their high cost limits their widespread use in developing countries. To make the solar still affordable, researchers are exploring the use of earth-abundant materials that can maintain high performance.
“We shouldn’t be making an expensive or very complicated device. It has to be easy to manufacture, last for a long time, and be easy to take apart and move,” said Mita Dasog, an associate professor of chemistry, and lead author.
Various carbon waste materials, such as coffee grounds, lobster shells, and birch wood residue, were tested for their suitability in the solar still. While all were effective, tire rubber emerged as the top performer.
Given their abundance and non-biodegradable nature, tires offer a valuable upcycling opportunity for this technology.
“This research perfectly aligns with the theme of Circular Economy Month by turning used tires into a crucial component of a water desalination device,” added Dasog in the press release.
Furthermore, the device can be modified to produce a small amount of electricity, sufficient to power on-board sensors that monitor water quality.
This simple yet effective device can provide clean drinking water to those in need, regardless of their location.
The researchers plan to test the device in South Asia next summer.
The findings were published in the journal iScience.
Used tire-based solar desalination tech makes 3.67 liters of drinking water daily
Used tire-based solar desalination tech makes 3.67 liters of drinking water daily
the-surprising-object
Graphical abstract. Credit: iScience |
