The flow rate module is an integral sub-module which modules flow rate dependent on some input. It consists of two main components. The flow is passively modulated using a solenoid valve, and an H-bridge will allow the control module to interface with the flow module. The H-bridge serves to drive enough current to the solenoid valve to open or close it.
Solar-Controlled Valve
Enabling solar-powered water purification systems
Majico Partner
Photocatalysts to mitigate contaminated water sources
We've been acting as a partner to Majico, whose work has produced a photocatalytic reactor which is able to degrade a wide range of contaminants from a water source.
The efficiency of the reactor depends on the intensity of sunlight. On an overcast day or during the night, is contaminated water still making it through?
A method of modulating the flow rate into the reactor depending on the intensity of sunlight is required, that's where we come in.
Our solution is a digital electronic system and solenoid valve that together provide a fail-safe, reliable and robust means to adjust the flow rate into the photocatalytic reactor.
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Nearly
850 million
people stil lack access to even a basic drinking water service
In low- and middle-income countries
38%
of health care facilities lack an improved water source
About
3.4 million
people die annually from water-related diseases
By
2025
half the world will live in water-stressed areas
Water access emergency.
844 million people worldwide lack access to basic drinking water service, according to the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) Report 2017. A basic drinking water service is one that's within a 30 minute round trip and is free from contamination. These few criteria are not met for so many - a true water access emergency.
Compromised health care.
An improved water source meets three criteria. It is accessible on premises, it always has water available when needed and the supplied water is free from contamination. 38% of health care facilities worldwide don't even have this, according to the WHO Drinking Water Fact Sheet. Their ability to provide adequate health care to those in need is compromised.
Preventable disease.
3.4 million people die annually due to water-related disease. This from a WHO World Water Day Report in 2001, which also predicts the problem of access to clean water will grow. The sheer scale of easily preventable death and disease is unacceptable in the modern era.
Growing crisis.
The WHO Drinking Water Fact Sheet predicts that half the world's population will live in water-stressed areas by 2025. This is a growing crisis, so it must be acted on now.
Control Module
The control module is the central hub of our solution. The module uses an Arduino Micro and interfaces the microcontroller with the light sensor module, which provides the light level in lux as an input to the control module, and the flow module, to which an output corresponding to the state of the solenoid valve is provided. The correct flow rate response, alongside some debugging features, are therefore provided via this module.
Light Sensor Module
The light module is the primary sensor module in the system. The module has two light sensor devices, the BH1750 and the VEML6030, which are used to measure the ambient light level and report this level back to the control module via an I2C interface. The module is also designed to support on-board voltage regulation if the application demands solar panel voltages to be fed into the sensor module directly.