solar thermal energy for the village dale andreatta, ph.d., p.e
TRANSCRIPT
At ETHOS 2013 we were challenged to start thinking about
village energy, not just cookstoves.• 3 uses for hot water.• 3 ways to use the sun to produce hot water.• All are interchangeable.• One other use for solar thermal (to be
explained last)• Purpose of the talk is to stimulate thinking. • A written report is available.
3 Uses for Hot Water
• Washing water, typically around 45-50° C.• Pasteurized drinking water, 65° C.• Pre-heated water for cooking, 70° C and up.
Basics of Pasteurization• Pasteurization: A heat process that kills all
disease-causing microbes (pathogens) including cryptosporidium.
• First discovered by Louis Pasteur 150 years ago.• Hepatitis A is the most heat resistant pathogen,
but is killed by a few minutes at 65° C. • Not necessary to boil the water, as many believe.• Heat denatures the proteins, similar to cooking
an egg white (which can also be done at 65° C.
D values (90% reduction times) bacteria in water
seconds at
Bacterium 55°C 60°C 65°C
E.coli 0157:H7 223 67 3
Shigella sonnei 354 54 3
Salmonella tyhpimurium 77 4 <2
Ref: A. Spinks et.al, Water Research 401326-1332 (2006)
Temperatures which kill disease microbespresent in contaminated water
MICROBE KILLED RAPIDLY AT:
Worms, Giardia, Entamoeba,Cryptosporidium 131F (55C)
Escherichia coli, Shigella, cholera, 140F (60C)Typhoid, Rotaviruses, Polioviruses
Hepatitis A virus 149F (65C)
Milk Pasteurization = 160F (71.7C) for 15 seconds
Why is Boiling the Standard Treatment?
• Until 1992 there was no practical way to know whether the pasteurization temperature has been achieved.
• In 1992, the first Water Pasteurization Indicator (WAPI) or “Indicator” was designed.
• Several other indicators have since been developed.
Two Types of IndicatorsPetroleum WaxInitial positionMelts at 65 C
If found here later,65 C was reached
Pre-heated Water for Cooking• If we think of the standard 5-liter Water
Boiling Test, it takes about 1.7 MJ to heat the water to boiling, and typically 15-30 minutes.
• If you pre-heat the water to 70° C, you save 1.05 MJ, and cut the time to boil roughly in half.
• This is 430 g of wood, or 117 g of charcoal, at typical efficiencies.
The AquaPak
• The Aqua Pak was designed as a pasteurizer, made of inexpensive plastic.
• Contains up to 6 liters.• Small glass indicator built into the cap. • Cost is about $2 if made in the developing
world. Currently available, made in San Diego.• The plan is for independent entrepreneurs to
set up a series of factories, copying the product and the process of making it.
Ways to Use the AquaPak
• Pasteurize 5+ liters.• Warm 2 batches of wash water.• Preheat 2 small batches or 1 large batch of
hot water for cooking.
Other Nice Features
• Built in handle allows it to be carried, with up to 8 at a time with a pole.
• The ultraviolet stabilized plastic lasts up to 4 years.
• Seams typically last 2 years.
SOIL
TROUGHWATER
INSULATION
CLEAR PLASTICDOUBLE PLASTIC LAYER(TOP LAYER BLACK)
AIR GAP
SPACER
The Solar Puddle, A Large Batch Pasteurizer
Basic Solar Puddle, built into the ground.Horizontal dimensions compressed for clarity.
Two benchtop solar puddles: Bubble wrap top layer on left. Two-layer top layer, on right, with top layer removed.
How to Use the Solar Puddle
• For washing, use thick layers of water.• For pasteurization, medium thick layers of
water.• For pre-heating for cooking, use thin layers,
perhaps once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
• Perhaps transfer to an insulated container, or just wrap up the bag.
Final Use of Solar Thermal Energy-Sanitation
• Sanitation-dealing with shit-is a huge problem. • Worse in urban areas, but bad enough in rural
areas.• Should be possible to use solar thermal energy
to pasteurize feces.• Couple this with using excreta as fuel or
fertilizer, as well as dealing with feces in a nicer way.