CleaN waTer: A Water Filtration System Powered by the Sun and Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Technology

Abstract

The CleaN waTer filtration device strives to effectively and efficiently remove 100% of bacteria from water using solar power. Access to clean water is a common problem for communities throughout the world. Many of these communities also struggle to overcome poverty, low education, and minimal access to electricity. Manchay, Peru is one of these many communities. The quality of water in Manchay is unknown, and the only effective method of water treatment in the area is boiling. The development of a robust and easy to use water filtration system that does not require electrical infrastructure has the potential to provide such a community with a reliable source of clean water. The CleaN waTer device outputs clean water after the input of contaminated water and solar radiation. The solar power is stored in a battery. The stored energy powers a pump that propels water through an electrochemical filter. The electrochemical filter uses multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) to deactivate and sieve the bacteria. This system outputs one liter of water in 25 minutes and can output up to 6.5 liters of water after one charge. The device was evaluated by measuring the levels of Escherichia coli (E.coli) in the effluent water. Water treated with the device passes the EPA regulations for potable water. Due to the intuitive nature of the CleaN waTer filtration device, it could revolutionize water treatment in Manchay and impact other communities around the world.