Solar Water Distillation
Posted by WSTTXS@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 5 comments
In theory couldn’t you get a pass through solar generator (useable while charging) and like a 600w electric water distiller and eliminate the need for a fuel source to distill/boil water? Kind of a set it and forget it setup? Could you daisy chain 800w worth of solar panels to run a 600w distiller?
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
I guess so? If your goal is simply to use solar to boil water to make it safe to drink, there are easier ways, like a sun oven and a WAPI (gadget that indicates water is pasteurized).
WSTTXS@reddit (OP)
My water source will be a swimming pool so it’s more about distilling out the salts and chemicals than just killing the bacteria and viruses, I’m trying to look into easiest ways of distilling the water
man_of_the_banannas@reddit
Chlorine is volatile (hence why your pool smells). It won't be removed by distillation, in fact, it will likely be concentrated (as it has a lower boiling point than water). Moreover, people usually have other chemicals in their pool water (descummers, pH balance chemicals etc). Those may or may not (most likely not) be removed by distillation.
Distillation works well for removing salt because its non-volatile (at least to far above the boiling point of water). For volatile chemicals like chlorine, it does not work.
I have never found a satisfactory method by which to make pool water drinkable. I honestly don't think its worth the effort. If you have room for a pool, you have room for a couple hundred gallon water tank. For bathing, flushing toilets, and washing your pool water is likely fine (I wouldn't use it for eating utensils, but for bathing and clothes). So, at 1/2 a gallon/(person-day) for cooking and drinking, 200 gallons will last a family of 4 more than 3 months. Just buy a water tank.
moonwater_twa@reddit
all the chlorine would evaporate first. by the time the water boils and evaporates all the chlorine is gone.
my HS intro Science class had experiments to distill a beaker of unknown and determine what was mixed together. rather fun thing at 14
Winter_Official390@reddit
That's a smart idea! Using a pass-through solar generator with an electric water distiller could indeed create a self-sustaining water purification system. Daisy-chaining solar panels to match the distiller's wattage is feasible for continuous operation.
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