Solarbag

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Puralytics Many organizations (Amazon, Brownells, Camping World, Columbia Fire and Safety Ltd., L.L. Bean, REI, Sportsman's Warehouse, Woot, Sportsman's Guide) also offer the SolarBag for purchase.

Manufacturing/Building Method

Mass produced

Intellectural Property Type

Patent Protected

User Provision Model

The SolarBag is available for purchase online. During humanitarian crises, NGOs/nonprofits and governmental agencies can order in bulk from Puralytics. End-user is likely to receive as donations.

Distributions to Date Status

<50,000 (targeted 50,000 by end of 2015) ^{Interview with representative}

Design Specifications

Bag dimensions: Total Height: 39.9 cm, Total Width: 24.5 cm, Bag Height: 36.6 cm, Weight: 104 g, Capacity: 3.5 L The SolarBag is filled with water, and set horizontally in the sun for 2-6 hours depending on both water quality and weather conditions.

Technical Support

FAQ section on Solarbag's website

Replacement Components

Unknown. Since the product handles contaminated water, any defects will most likely compromise the product and require the product to be disposed of.

Lifecycle

The Solarbag has a dry shelf life of 7 years. Puralytics specifies a potential life for the SolarBag as 500 uses. To dispose of the product cut the bottom of the bag open and remove the mesh insert. Dispose of the mesh insert as non-toxic solid waste, then recycle the plastic bag as Type 7 plastic.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Removes the following from water: Bacteria, Viruses, Protozoa, Herbicides, Pesticides, Herbicides, Petrochemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Arsenic, Lead, and Mercury. The self-cleaning mesh does not clog, and the water tastes clean after disinfection. Eliminates 99.9999% of bacteria, 99.99% virus, 99.9% protozoa, removes heavy metals, and destroys man-made chemicals.

Vetted Performance Status

92% of SolarBags functioned normally throughout the first 6 months of trial use. 77% were fully functional even after 6 months.

Safety

SolarBag is unsafe if there is a leak or the activated mesh is compromised. If water is highly turbid or contains sediment, filtering the water or allowing sedimentation to occur will improve the resulting water quality. Saline waters need to be desalinated in conjunction with the use of the SolarBag, as it will not remove salt.

Complementary Technical Systems

For overcast days, the SolarBag comes with Pur-Blue Process Timer, a blue indicator dye that turns clear once the water has been purified. A single drop per bag indicates whether water is ready for drinking.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Solarbag exceeds highest water quality testing standards from WHO and the EPA; meets National Standards in Turkey, Kenya, Cameroon, Japan, USA, Mexico, Malawi

Other Information

Informational video about Solarbag