Design and Fabrication of an Integrated Solar Still and UV/Pasteurization System for Domestic Use

Abstract

Water, that miraculous liquid, is the fundamental foundation upon which life on Earth is based. The first human civilizations were founded on water, and wherever water is found, civilization is found. Given the increasing population, rising living standards, and developments that have led to increased water pollution and limited water resources, and given the expected rise in fuel and electricity prices in the future, and to rationalize electricity consumption, the use of solar energy is an effective solution for desalination and sterilization of water.In this research, a solar-powered desalination and sterilization system was designed and manufactured to make water potable. This system operates using river, well, and surface water, meeting the needs of homes in remote, desert, and rural areas, as well as homes within cities. This system consists of three filters (polypropylene, a block carbon filter, and a granular activated carbon filter) with an 8-watt solar-powered UV system. The system's production capacity is 20 liters/hour for well and river water, increasing to 60 liters/hour when used with tap water inside homes.The system was operated on water from a 10-meter-deep well in the Al-Jadriya area of Baghdad, and the well water was tested. It was salty and polluted, but the results of the examination after desalination and sterilization were good and within the required specifications.