This Easy To Build Contraption Can Give Water To Everyone: DIY Plans Solar technology goes much further than creating electricity, some people have learned to use the sun to perform impressive feats such as cooking. On Earth, the sun packs a wallop of heat energy through many different forms of radiation, and innovative ways to use this energy have been developed since the dawn of man. In this article we will show you how to build a solar still and even desalinate water with simple materials and the power of the sun! There are many ways to build solar stills, these technologies usually evaporate water in one container to produce potable distilled water in another container. As demonstrated in the image below, sunlight passed through a clear material has enough energy to evaporate water which then collects on the glass, condenses, and drips down the pane into an empty container. Although this design is simple to build and use, some people are not quite satisfied with this it as they may need their water sooner and in larger amounts. WaterFX on SFGate
Catchment Area | Rainwater Harvesting The catchment area is the first point of contact for rainfall. For the vast majority of tank-based rainwater harvesting systems, the catchment area is the roof surface. There are some important factors about the roof to consider when planning for a RWH system: Roof Material – The material of the roof is not as important as contaminants that may be on the roof. For landscape purposes, the common asphalt shingle will work fine. Slope – The slope of the roof affects how quickly water will runoff during a rain event. Sizing a Catchment Area - The size of the catchment area or roof will determine how much rainwater that you can harvest. To calculate how much rainwater that you can harvesting, use the equation below.
A 17-Year-Old Invented This Smart Device That Makes Clean Water And Power At The Same Time Around the world, many of the 783 million people who don't have clean drinking water also don't have access to electricity. A new design from an Australian high school student aims to solve both problems at once: While the device purifies wastewater, it uses pollutants in the water to boost power production in a separate compartment. 17-year-old Cynthia Sin Nga Lam, one of 15 finalists in this year's Google Science Fair, started researching renewable electricity generation last year, and quickly realized that she could incorporate water purification into her process. Her prototype, called H2Pro, is a portable device powered only by sunlight. Dirty water goes in one end, and a titanium mesh, activated by the sun, sterilizes the water and sends it through an extra filter. The photocatalytic reaction also splits the water into hydrogen and oxygen--so someone can flip a switch and start feeding a hydrogen fuel cell to produce clean power.
Rainwater Harvesting Study - Cockrell School of Engineering Thursday, 03 March 2011 11:51 Faculty and students with The Cockrell School of Engineering recently completed a study that is being used by the Texas Water Development Board to give residents a better sense of what roofing materials are best for harvesting rainwater. Pictured left to right are: Professors Kerry Kinney and Michael Barrett (back row); engineering student Carolina Mendez; and Assistant Professor Mary Jo Kirisits. For the past few years, one of the most common questions facing the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) hasn’t been over contentious water rights or proposed water projects; it’s been from homeowners wanting to know what type of roofing material is most suitable for collecting rainwater for indoor domestic use. “Rainwater harvesting is becoming fairly widespread, at least in Central Texas. The test sites included both pilot-scale and full-scale residential roofs — one of which was the roof on the home of Kirisits and her husband. The U.S.
10 Practices Showing That "Sustainability" is More Than Just a Buzzword! Sustainability is the buzzword that’s making the world a better place! You have probably realized that the way we manage our resources is gaining more space in the media and transforming our means of production and development. On the other hand, you may also have bought some products being advertised as sustainable and, later, discovered that certain stages of their production were contrary to this principle. A sustainable world. Image credit: Gabe McIntyre; CC 2.0 You may wonder if sustainability is just another marketing ploy or whether it is being seriously practiced. So, to better understand how individuals, designers, environmentalists, and communities are using this concept, you should read the following 10 practices that are among the most important examples of sustainability. 10. Large scale conservation project. 9. Green roof. Credit: OODA architects Related Articles: 8. A simple diagram to show the various parts and functions of a Rooftop rainwater harvesting system. 7. 6. 5. 4.
Rainwater Connection - Rainwater Collection and Harvesting Systems - Rainwater Harvesting Components Components of a Rainwater Harvesting System This section is currently out of date. For up-to-date information, please see the RDN Rainwater Harvesting Guidebook A rainwater collection and storage system is comprised of many components. To produce good quality water all of the components need to be considered together. Rainwater collection systems can be roughly separated into two types - those where the water runs by gravity to the cistern and those where the water runs by gravity to a surge/pump tank and is then pumped to the cistern. A gravity flow to the cistern (shown above) is ideal as it requires no power. back to top The Roof Metal Roof The key to choosing building materials for all parts of a rainwater harvesting system is to select materials that are non toxic and inert (non leaching.) Torch on Membrane Water quality from different roof catchments is a function of the type of roof material, climate conditions, and surrounding environment. Metal Roof with Snow Guard Ashpalt Gutters
Timeline Photos - FARM SHOW Magazine | Facebook Providing Water: A Practical Field Guide by Humphrey Blackburn You just bought this piece of property, closed escrow two weeks ago. You know where you're going to put your house and the septic tank. You know there are some springs somewhere up the hill by those oaks. Now what? You open the book Providing Water, a Practical Field Guide, and sit on a stump and start leafing through it. Says here that with gravity feed, you can have a complete water system including reliable treatment with no power, no chemicals, and no replacement cartridges. Hmm. OK, next. But, I may need to pump to a higher location. You look at the drawings that detail what simple but reliable methods you can employ to remove pathogens, so your water is safe. This Kickstarter project will allow me to accomplish this book project which is based on my 20 plus years helping people all over the world source, treat, and provide water. Table of contents Introduction to rural water supply Assessing the need Assessing the water shed Identifying sources- pros and cons Developing a plan Budget
Well Water or Rain Water Filtration When it's time for well water filtration, here are some good informational videos: Rainwater Harvesting - This Is How You Do It Iowa Roadside Barn Prompts Inspiration Cape Coral woman living "off the grid" challenged by city One California Couple Found A Buried Can In Their Yard Worth Millions Rooftop Farming On Top Of A Factory The World's Largest Solar Plant Goes Online In The U.S.A. A Piece Of Africa - South African Way Of Life Other Great Stories From Offgridquest.com: Vessel - Portfolio - Splinter Works Carbon Fibre 2600-3000 L 800 W mm Struck by the synergy between the shapes of two compelling symbols of relaxation, a hammock and a bath tub, Splinter Works were inspired to develop a piece that would provide the ultimate vehicle for total escapism. The peaceful experience of kicking-back in a hammock has been further enhanced by combining it with the immersive comfort of soaking in a hot bath. By literally elevating the experience of bathing into a suspended sculpture the bathroom has been reinvented as a contemplative sanctuary for artful relaxation. Designed for use in a wet room, Vessel is suspended from the walls and does not touch the floor. Vessel is made from carbon fibre which is utilised for its inherent strength and ability to be formed into complex curves, furthermore the weave of the fabric references the cloth of a typical hammock. At 2.6m to 3m long, Vessel is longer than a regular bathtub, leaving plenty of room to share the experience.
Why Everyone Should Care About Rainwater Harvesting