The Hindu : ERC developing solar still for water purification

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 18, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram

ERC developing solar still for water purification

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Jan. 17. The Energy Research Centre at Sreekaryam near here is close to developing a solar distillation unit to provide purified water to remote and parched areas.

On the occasion of the Centre's annual day, the unit head, V. Arunachalam, revealed that the equipment called solar still was being developed using locally available materials to bring down the cost. ``Tests are on to improve the efficiency of the unit. Once the equipment is ready, we will be filing for a patent,'' he said.

The still is a low technology product which uses solar energy for distillation of water. It uses the sun's heat to enhance evaporation of water from a tub provided with a glass cover. The condensation collects as drops on the inclined cover and trickles down into a trough from where it is collected in a tank. The still is capable of converting brackish and polluted water into potable water and can be used in arid areas facing acute water scarcity.

Researchers at the institute explained that even sea water can be used in the still. Apart from the distilled water, which can be safely used for drinking, it would also yield salt that can be scraped off the tub at regular intervals, they said.

The centre is also working on a Sterling external combustion engine for power generation and other purposes.

The engine uses biomass materials like coconut shells or wood as fuel. The researchers are trying to improve the performance of the engine and use diverse biomass materials for combustion. The engine can be used in village areas for power generation as well as pumping water and other mechanical uses.

One of the major functions of the centre, which was set up under the Central Power Research Institute, is to conduct energy audit for power plants and commercial units.

The audit wing carries out efficiency study and makes recommendations with financial projections for energy conservation.

The centre is part of a consortium set up under the Bureau of Energy Efficiency for energy auditing of all government buildings in New Delhi.

A photovoltaic laboratory on the campus is equipped with some of the latest equipment for testing solar powered gadgets like lanterns, back up power systems and streetlights. The centre also takes up campaigns aimed at promoting energy conservation and has been recognised by the Petroleum Conservation Research Agency.

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