Updated on January 17, 2024

·

Created on August 27, 2015

SolarPure UF

A community-sized water purification unit.

Tested By
  • Colorado School of Mines
Content Partners
Unknown

Author

Product Description

The SolarPure UF is a compact semi-industrial water treatment and bottling plant. It can treat up to 20,000 Liters per 12-hour day using 400 W in solar power mode and filter water with a minimum input of 50W. The core water treatment technologies are Ultrafiltration and Activated Carbon. Interview with representative

Target SDGs

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Market Suggested Retail Price

$15,200.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Community, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

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

Description of the combined methods

Pre-filtration, Ultrafiltration, Activated Carbon, Polishing Filter, Chloramine injection

Manufacturer-specified water treatment rate (L/hr)

300 to 1800 L/hr, depending on available power

Bacteria reduction

>4 log

Virus reduction

>4 log

Protozoa reduction

>4 log

Heavy metals and/or arsenic reduction

Unknown

Maximum recommended influent turbidity level (NTU)

Unknown

Effluent turbidity levels (NTU)

<0.1 NTU

Safe water storage capacity (L)

None

Manufacturer-specified lifetime volume (L)

Unknown

Consumables

Electricity, chloramine

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

Product Schematics

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

“Water Treatment Solutions,” Healing Waters International. Available: https://healingwaters.org/solutions/ 

Goal 6. (n.d.). Sdgs.un.org. Available: https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal6 

“Jibu Inc – Local Owners Driving Lasting Solutions,” Jibuco.com. Available: https://jibuco.com/

Healingwaters.org. Available: https://healingwaters.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SolarPure_UF_Spec_Sheet.pdf

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

Evaluation methods

Field and laboratory performance testing.

Other Information

None.

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