Emergency water purification kit

Cosa fa?

The project is a portable water purifier for emergencies or areas with limited clean water. It uses a membrane filter and works with a solar-powered motor or manual crank to create the pressure needed for effective filtration, ensuring safe drinking water.

La tua ispirazione

The inspiration for this project came while searching for a thesis topic that could have a meaningful impact on people or communities facing hardship or emergency situations. During my research, I identified the lack of access to clean drinking water—especially in developing countries or areas affected by natural disasters—as one of the most critical issues. By analyzing the water purifier market, I noticed a gap where improvements could be made, particularly in terms of performance and usability. This led me to develop and propose my own solution to help address this urgent need.

Come funziona?

The project includes an extendable bellows-style container that also serves as packaging for the other components of the kit. Once the lid is opened—while the container is still collapsed—you can remove the components, which include: the filter (which attaches to the base of the container via a sliding rail), a collapsible bottle (for storing purified water if no other container is available), a tube (to channel water from the main container to the filter), a solar-rechargeable electric motor (used as a pump), and a manual crank (an alternative in case the motor can’t be recharged). To assemble the system, simply expand the bellows container, attach the filter to its base, connect one end of the tube to the top of the filter and the other inside the container. Then choose between the electric pump or the manual crank. This allows water to flow through the tube and build the pressure needed to pass through the filter membrane, ensuring effective purification.

Processo di progettazione

The design process began with an analysis of existing water purifiers, identifying both critical points and the potential of different systems. Initially, I didn’t focus on membrane filters. I tested alternatives like bio-sand filters, UV purification, and chlorination. Over time, I realized that semi-permeable membrane filters offered the best combination of water quality, functionality, and portability. I then concentrated on this technology, widely used in emergency contexts and developing countries. Most systems I studied rely on gravity to move water through the filter, but I saw an opportunity to improve performance. By introducing a mechanical pumping system—using either a solar-rechargeable motor or a manual crank—higher pressure can be achieved, allowing water to pass through finer membranes than those typically used. This results in cleaner water. Once this aspect was defined, I focused on making the system easy to use for people with different cultural and educational backgrounds, without prior training. The kit was also designed to be compact and easily transportable, considering the challenging conditions it may be used in.

In che modo è differente?

The kit was specifically designed to overcome the critical issues found in existing systems. Unlike others that rely solely on gravity, this kit allows water to flow mechanically from the container to the filter—using either the solar-rechargeable electric motor or the manual crank—enabling higher water pressure without the need for external power sources. This makes it usable in emergency situations or areas without electricity. Higher pressure allows water to permeate membranes with smaller pores than typically used, resulting in more thorough contaminant removal. Additionally, the container is designed to be lightweight, easy to carry, and intuitive to use, ensuring practicality in challenging conditions.

Progetti per il futuro

The next steps to further define this thesis project mainly involve specifying some technical components. In particular, it is necessary to determine the type of electric motor to use as a pump and to conduct tests measuring the exact pressure of the water output, both with the manual and electric pumps. This will help define the maximum pore size of the membrane. Additionally, the kit should include a component for cleaning the filter, usually through a backwashing process. In the future, I hope to resolve these uncertainties and bring the project to its final stage, making it useful for people or communities in extreme situations.

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