Designing of a prototype heat-sealer to manufacture solar water sterilization pouches for use in developing nations

Water purification proves to be a difficult task in many developing nations. The SODIS (SOlar water DISinfection) process is a method which improves the microbiological quality of water making it safer for drinking and cooking using the UV-A rays and heat from the sun. Even simple processes such as this, require components that are not easily attainable in many rural areas-in this case the recommended two-liter bottle. Amy Smith, an instructor in MIT's Edgerton Center, researched and tested the effectiveness of polypropylene collapsible water pouches in the SODIS process. Thus, a heat-sealing device that can be used in developing nations to manufacture collapsible water pouches is needed. This device is intended to allow individuals in developing countries to take advantage of the SODIS water purification process. The approximately 60 watt prototype of the heat-sealing device is powered by a 12-volt solar deep-cycle battery and is made of simple materials so that it can be used and maintained in a variety of developing nations. A 20 inch nickel chromium strip is used as the heating element and Teflon forms a barrier between the heating element and the material to be sealed. A 4-mil polypropylene sheet is the pouch material of choice.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Quinlan, Saundra S

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• David Wallace.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/32928

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/32928