Interesting Device for Disaster Areas

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Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

Interesting Device for Disaster Areas

Check this out:-

http://current.com/1ci9m4c

Looks like it could have lots of other applications too!

I'm a little bit put off by the Steve Jobs/Bill Gates style of presentation, but I guess that's just how things are done these days, rather than the old way of presenting a paper to The Royal Institute......

cheers,

Ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 5 2009 8:13:48

Sbu_01

Posts: 28
Joined: Jan. 28 2009

RE: Interesting Device for Disaster ... (in reply to Ron.M)

I have something to add to my wishlist for my next camping trip...did he mention if it desalinates water also

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 5 2009 11:09:49

Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: Interesting Device for Disaster ... (in reply to Sbu_01)

He's got a lot of info on his website..

http://www.lifesaversystems.com/aboutus.html

Apparently salt is a bit of a problem, but you can recycle urine about 3 or 4 times max if you're desperate!

cheers,

Ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 5 2009 11:17:52

edguerin

Posts: 1589
Joined: Dec. 24 2007
From: Siegburg, Alemania

RE: Interesting Device for Disaster ... (in reply to Ron.M)

quote:

http://www.lifesaversystems.com/aboutus.html

So supporting soldiers is life-saving

_____________________________

Ed

El aficionado solitario
Alemania

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 6 2009 1:52:26

marrow3

Posts: 166
Joined: Mar. 1 2009

RE: Interesting Device for Disaster ... (in reply to Ron.M)

Hi

The bottle works due to its filter which is produced industrially and so cost is around £100 or more. Therefore its good for the army in disaster areas, good for camping trips etc.. not good for large numbers of people caught up in disasters. However, for developing countries there is a ceramic water filter made by mixing clay with rice husks which are then fired in a kiln. the rice is burned away leaving very small holes to filter water. The resulting devices work much like the filter in the bottle - but can be produced using local materials and so much cheaper. try this... http://www.unicef.org/eapro/WSP_UNICEF_FN_CWP_Final.pdf

I'm sure the bottle is great for a camping trip though.
to remove salt you probably need a solar still anything absorbing chloride is going to get saturated pretty quick.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 6 2009 3:46:34

Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: Interesting Device for Disaster ... (in reply to marrow3)

I think they guy is saying that his bottle will filter to sub-virus size with it's 25nm pores as well as having a safety cut-out system and that's why he's claiming an improvement.

I doubt if he'd be able to get any sort of patent on the idea, so I think it's success will depend really on just being ahead of the market for a while.

The Chinese could probably come up with an exact copy for a tenth of the price.

If he can get Governments or Relief Agencies to stockpile them and distribute them, then his quid's in.

They would probably be as popular as the AK47 in the Developing world.

cheers,

Ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 6 2009 4:41:16

marrow3

Posts: 166
Joined: Mar. 1 2009

RE: Interesting Device for Disaster ... (in reply to Ron.M)

Hi,

The bottle is an amazing achievement. I'm sure most people would prefer this to chemically treated water

And the argument about further engineering is compelling. I would love to believe that the cost could drop that much.

I work in a related area (disposable diagnostic strips pregnancy, infectious disease etc..) and was researching this subject a few months back. it is difficult to provide a definitive argument without knowing how the filter cartridge is made. But for what it is (and the price says much already) the price couldn't drop in such a way as to affect the majority of people without safe water. It's just a huge economic step change.

Hence the ceramic filters that have been trialed in Cambodia are so encouraging -they wouldn't match the performance of those bottles but they help (judging by the review papers). Most of the research I looked at was for 'sodis' which is solar disinfection the so called 'ugly duckling' of water disinfection. Not something you would use on a camping trip.

anyway I'm trying not to ramble on