Human Powered

Producing Potable Water for Developing Countries

Dustin Drake and Michael Solley

Florida Atlantic UniversityDepartment of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering

Reverse Osmosis

Global Water CrisisOne billion people do not have

access to clean drinking water.

3.6 million people die each year from water-related diseases.

98% of water-related deaths occur in the developing world.

A person can only live for a few days without water.

Reverse OsmosisTwo liquids of different concentrations

separated by semi-permeable membraneLess saturated naturally flows into more

saturatedPressure is applied to reverse this

process and is known as reverseosmosis or RO

Dirty water flows throughmembrane thereby filtering it

dirty water clean water

Reverse OsmosisAdvantages: Disadvantages:Finest filtration methodFilters chemicals,

bacteria, virusesNo chemicals neededRelatively simple

process

High pressure requirement

Slow production rateUses lots of water to

producePretreatment needed

Power SourceNon-Renewable: Renewable:ElectricityGasCoalNuclear

GeothermalWindSolarHuman Power

ElectricityGasCoalNuclear

GeothermalWindSolar

Design…Bicycle driven reverse osmosis system

Components: BicycleSimple, natural motionEase of useRelatively low cost

Components: Jerry Can TankHolds to be purified

5 gallonsStrong constructionLong lasting

Components: Hand Air PumpApplies pressure to tank

SimpleLow costEasy to fix/replace

Components: APEC RO-CTOPPurifies water

Highly efficientRelatively low cost4 stages of filtration

Sediment filter Activated carbon filter RO membrane Activated carbon filter

Process1. Fill dirty (fresh) water into tank and seal it

Water passes through pre-filters removing large sediment2. Pedal bike

Gears turn, driving linkage system to slide pump back and forth3. Pump pressurizes tank, thus forcing water through the

system4. Water travels through first two filters and splits into 2 routes

Rinse water and water to be purified5. Water travels through RO membrane being purified

Rinse water passes over membrane continually cleaning it6. Purified water passes through last filter and exits

Rinse water exits device

Numerical AnalysisPower requirement:

P = Q*p(P: Power, Q: volumetric flow rate, p: pressure)

p = 100 psiQ = 19 gal/hr

P = 0.019 HP

Practical FeasibilityOnly 0.02 HP neededPerson can provide 0.10 HP for 8 hrs

10 min per gallonOne person needs ½ gallon daily5 min per person per day

Cost: $400

Other ConsiderationsRO membrane last for 3-4 years

Bicycle can be used for transport

Rinse water used for cleaning, cooking, irrigation, etc.

Small village could have clean water for only $400

ConclusionViable

Efficient

Economical

Effective