Clean Water From The Power Of The Sun!

 A solar still is a device that uses the power of the sun to produce clean water from various sources, such as seawater, contaminated water, or even plants. Solar stills work by mimicking the natural water cycle, where water evaporates, condenses, and falls as rain. In this article, we will explain how solar stills work, why you should use them, and how to build one at home with simple materials.

How Solar Stills Work

A solar still consists of a transparent cover, such as a sheet of plastic or glass, that is placed over a container of water or moist soil. The cover allows the sunlight to pass through and heat up the water or soil inside. As the water evaporates, it rises and hits the cooler surface of the cover, where it condenses into droplets. The droplets then slide down the cover and collect in a separate container or a tube attached to the cover. The process of evaporation and condensation purifies the water, leaving behind any impurities, such as salt, dirt, bacteria, or chemicals.

There are different types of solar stills, depending on the design and the source of water. Some common types are:

• Pit still: A pit still is made by digging a hole in the ground and placing a container of water or moist vegetation in the center. A plastic sheet is then stretched over the hole and secured with rocks or stakes around the edges. A small weight, such as a stone or a cup, is placed in the center of the sheet to create a funnel shape. The condensed water drips into the weight and is collected in a container below or through a tube that leads outside the pit.
• Basin still: A basin still is made by using a large shallow container, such as a metal tray or a plastic tub, that is filled with water or moist soil. A plastic sheet or glass pane is then placed over the container and sealed around the edges with tape or glue. A small weight is placed in the center of the cover to create a funnel shape. The condensed water drips into the weight and is collected in a container below or through a tube that leads outside the basin.
• Box still: A box still is made by using a wooden or metal box that has an open top and a sloped bottom. The box is filled with water or moist soil and covered with a plastic sheet or glass pane that is attached to the top edges of the box. The cover has a small hole in one corner that allows a tube to pass through. The condensed water slides down the cover and flows out through the tube into a separate container.

Why You Should Use Solar Stills

Solar stills have many advantages over other methods of water purification, such as boiling, filtering, or chemical treatment. Some of these advantages are:

• Solar stills use renewable energy from the sun, which is free and abundant.
• Solar stills do not require any electricity, fuel, or complex equipment, which makes them ideal for remote areas or emergency situations.
• Solar stills can produce clean water from various sources, such as seawater, brackish water, contaminated water, or even plants.
• Solar stills can remove most impurities from water, such as salt, dirt, bacteria, viruses, parasites, heavy metals, pesticides, or organic compounds.
• Solar stills can also produce distilled water, which is useful for medical purposes, batteries, or cooling systems.

How to Build a Solar Still at Home

Building a solar still at home is easy and inexpensive. You can use materials that you may already have around your house or that you can find in your local hardware store. Here are some steps to follow:

1. Choose a type of solar still that suits your needs and available materials. You can use any of the types mentioned above (pit still, basin still, or box still) or you can improvise your own design based on the same principles.
2. Gather your materials. You will need:
   • A transparent cover, such as a sheet of plastic or glass
   • A container for water or moist soil
   • A container for collecting distilled water
   • A tube for transferring distilled water (optional)
   • A weight for creating a funnel shape on the cover
   • Tape, glue, rocks, stakes, or other materials for securing and sealing the cover
3. Prepare your source of water. You can use any kind of water that is not too dirty or toxic. You can also use moist soil or vegetation that contains moisture. If you are using seawater or brackish water, you may want to add some salt to it to increase its salinity and evaporation rate.
4. Set up your solar still in a sunny spot. Make sure that your cover is facing south (in the northern hemisphere) or north (in the southern hemisphere) to get maximum exposure to sunlight. Also make sure that your cover is tilted slightly to allow the condensed water to slide down and collect in your container.
5. Wait for your solar still to produce distilled water. Depending on the size, design, and location of your solar still, it may take several hours or days to produce a significant amount of water. You can check the progress by looking at the droplets on the cover or by measuring the water level in your container. You can also taste the water to see if it is fresh and pure.
6. Enjoy your distilled water. You can use it for drinking, cooking, washing, or any other purpose that requires clean water. You can also store it in a clean and sealed container for later use.

Conclusion

A solar still is a simple and effective way to produce clean water from various sources using the power of the sun. It can be a lifesaving tool in situations where potable water is scarce or unavailable. It can also be a fun and educational project to do at home with your family or friends. By building and using a solar still, you can learn about the natural water cycle, the properties of water, and the benefits of renewable energy. You can also contribute to the conservation of water and the protection of the environment.