Distilled fresh water by solar energy

Using 2 rectangular boxes and pyramids, using solar energy to distill salt water into fresh water, two Can Tho University students have just won the first prize of Holcim Prize 2011.

>>> Thetopic "Fresh water distillation device" won the first prize

The topic 'Design of freshwater distillation equipment for households in coastal areas' by two students Nguyen Ngoc Anh and Pham Duy Linh, is honored as an innovative idea of ​​sustainable development. The device uses solar energy, are two rectangular boxes and pyramids capable of distilling 90 to 150 liters of water a day.

The principle of operation is that brackish water or saline water is put into a mariot jar above the equipment. The adjusted water flows into the bottle with a certain flow, heated by solar energy thanks to the heat absorber. Hot water evaporates, comes in contact with the convection air outside and the thin layer of water overflowing will condense, flowing down the bottom trough.

Model of box and pyramid distilled freshwater equipment of Duy Linh and Ngoc Anh.
(Photo: Huy Duc)

According to calculations and experiments of two student authors, every 1 m ^{2 of} the contact surface of the device will get about 5 liters of water a day. If calculating the installation of a m ² device costing VND 400,000, a household using about 120 liters of water per day will need to invest in equipment worth about VND 9 million. Time to use the device from 5 to 10 years.

Duy Linh shared: "Once I came back to my hometown in Ben Tre, I found that the people here lacked fresh water and had to buy it at a very expensive price.

Holcim Prize is an annual contest for students with innovative projects that are sustainable. The final round of the competition this year has 10 topics of 5 university students participating, taking place on September 20 in Can Tho.

The University of Social Sciences and Humanities has won two awards with the theme "Awakening the alley space" and "Integrating the model of extracurricular green education at primary level".

This group of students offers options such as improving alleys, lighting systems, walls, creating green areas to renovate alley spaces more green, clean and beautiful. The renovated spaces are not expensive but cost effective. Activities in the alley are mostly made by people in the alley, helping them have more opportunities to stick. This is the purpose of the topic "Awaken alley space".

The remaining prize was given to the students of Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture with the topic 'Self-sufficient local clean water supply station for difficult people in Tra Vinh' . 4 consolation prizes divided equally for 4 remaining schools.

This competition not only encourages creative ideas of students but also creates opportunities to apply ideas into practice. The team that won the first prize in addition to the bonus from the organizers is also supported up to VND 150 million to deploy the application of their ideas.