SolarPure UF

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Distributed by Healing Waters. Implemented in Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya by Jibu. ^{Interview with representative}

Manufacturing/Building Method

Batch assembled, up to 12 week lead time for large orders. ^{Interview with representative}

Intellectural Property Type

Trade Secret

User Provision Model

Direct purchase from manufacturer or through a partner NGO called Jibu.

Distributions to Date Status

Healing Waters has implemented over 200 water projects around the world. This particular design is newer, with 52 units produced to date. ^{Interview with representative}

Design Specifications

The SolarPure UF uses a 5-step water treatment process which is low-waste, with typically >90% net water recovery. It includes:

• Pre-filtration: 105-micron stainless steel screen.
• Ultrafiltration: 0.02-micon pores for removal of bacteria, viruses, and other waterborne diseases.
• Activated Carbon: 24kg of coconut-shell carbon contains 28,000,000 m2 of surface area. Effective at reducing taste and odor issues.
• Polishing Filter: 0.35-micron cartridge filter.
• Chloramine (at 1.0 ppm) is injected into the final water as a preservative.

Dimensions: 102 cm x 74 cm x 153 cm Weight: 240 kg Power Supply: use any 2 of the following: • City Power (90-240VAC, 50/60Hz) • Generator (90-240VAC, 50/60Hz, 1000W) • Solar Panels (48-300VDC) Recommendation: 500-1000W of panels • Batteries (48V array) Recommendation: Four 12V 100AH batteries If any power source is reliable and continuously available, an additional power supply may not be needed. Water Supply • Any fresh water supply (not salt water) • Must be tested for chemical contamination • Should be stored in a holding tank. Materials Used • Frame: Stainless steel • Hardware: Stainless steel and galvanized steel • Plumbing: Stainless steel, brass, and plastic • Filter Housings: Plastic and Structural Poly Glass™ • Valves: Stainless steel with PTFE seats • Pump internals: Stainless steel Additional built-in functionality: • Internal clean: sanitizing the filters and plumbing with panel-mounted ball valves (sanitizes with 200ppm chlorine, followed by a clean water flush) • Backwash: cleaning the membrane by simply turning one panel-mounted ball valve (the backwash is designed to be at a higher pressure than forward flow) • Bottle-wash: sanitizing the inside of bottles with panel-mounted ball valves (sanitizes with 200ppm chlorine, followed by clean water rinse). • Diagnostics: Simple diagnostics of clogged filters with 5 panel-mounted pressure gauges

Technical Support

The Healing Waters Engineering team provides support. ^{Interview with representative}

Replacement Components

Inventory of replacement components are stocked in several countries around the world and growing. ^{Interview with representative}

Lifecycle

The manufacturers offer a 1 year warrenty. Typical life cycle of 10-20 years, but could be much longer with proper maintenance. Equipment frame and most plumbing/valves are stainless steel. Regarding disposal, filtration media is non-hazardous, stainless steel is a recyclable commodity, and electronic components should be properly recycled. ^{Interview with representative}

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Provides ultrafiltration with removal of bacteria, viruses, and other waterborne diseases. The SolarPure UF can reach a production rate of up to 30 liters per minute at 400 W, and can filter water with as little as 50 W. All built-in functionality is fully functional at 200 W. ^{Interview with representative}

Vetted Performance Status

During design phase, 3rd-party performance testing performed by Dr. Nathan Hancock, Colorado School of Mines. ^{Interview with representative}

Safety

The filtration media is non-hazardous.^{Interview with representative}

Complementary Technical Systems

For surface water, sand pre-filtration is recommended. ^{Interview with representative}

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Most components are produced in ISO 9001 facilities. Ultrafiltration Membrane is produced in an ISO 9001 facility and is NSF 61 listed. ^{Interview with representative}

Other Information

None.