The Product

  
A Product that enables anyone, in a most simple fashion, an independent, cheap and mobile solar Potable Water generation from sea water or brackish water on the base of condensation by solar still.

This Invention represents a conical, self-supporting and stackable Unit made from transparent, thermo-formable PET (same as water bottles) outfitted with a screw cap spout at the tip and an inward circular collecting trough at the base. Technically speaking it is a solar still.
 

Function
      
 
 
1.
Pour salty / brackish Water into pan. Then float the Watercone(r) on top. The black pan absorbs the sunlight and heats up the water to support evaporation..
 
2.
The evaporated Water condensates in the form of droplets on the inner wall of the cone. These droplets trickle down the inner wall into a circular trough at the inner base of the cone.

 

3.
By unscrewing the cap at the tip of the cone and turning the cone upside down, one can empty the potable Water gathered in the trough directly into a drinking device.


Watch short version how to use the Watercone:

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/v/On7gbKIa5zc

If Youtube is blocked by your company or government you can download the Quicktime Movie here


Technical Information
    
The WATERCONE(r) system can be referred to as a one step water condensation process with a 40% effectiveness degree (GTZ Germany). Based on evaporation levels of 8.8 Liters per square meter (average solar irradiation in Casablanca, Morocco), the WATERCONE(r) (with a base diameter of roughly 80 cm) yields between 1.0 to 1.7 Liters of condensed water per day (24 hours). The salty / brackish Water evaporates by way of solar irradiation and the condensation from that Water appears in the form of droplets on the inner wall of the cone. These droplets trickle down the inner wall into a circular trough at the inner base of the cone.
 
By unscrewing the cap at the tip of the cone and turning the cone upside down, one can empty the potable Water gathered in the trough directly into a drinking device.
Based on this concept, the cone does indeed apply innovative solutions to a problem, which has been a curse to mankind for millennia: turning salt water into potable water in an uncomplicated, cheap and swift manner.


The WATERCONE® is a long lasting UV resistant PET product and can be used up to 5 years daily. The material is non-toxic and 100% recyclable. The black pan for the saltwater is already made out of 100% recycled material.
 
Even when the WATERCONE(r) becomes old and tarnished, it can still be used to collect rain water, as a roof panel or container for other goods. Another environmental impact is the fact that solar energy is used instead of gas, oil or electricity to desalinate seawater. In many countries, poor people cook the dirty water by burning the last remaining wood and therefore they promote the growth of deserts worldwide. The WATERCONE(r) could be used in these regions as well.









5 Reasons for global distribution of the Watercone

1. Much cheaper than bottled water.
Average Price of 1 liter of bottled water in developing countries: $US 0,50.

One liter of water from the Watercone costs just between two and five cent calculated over life time.

  2. Absolutely, low concept and low tech.
As opposed to other types of solar stills which feature electronics, photo-voltaic cells, tubes, filters, many parts, etc. the Watercone concept is understood within seconds with absolutely no need for academic background. Additionally it (cone & pan) is made from high-tech ultra-rugged and highly recyclable PET, virtually insensitive to UV exposure or breakage, an all too common result of rough transport.		   3. Perfect for coastal dwellers.

There are at least 50 sunny, developing countries worldwide with a significant amount of sea- or coastline. Many from their populations, hundreds of millions, live in nearest proximity to water but cannot drink it or use it for agriculture, because it is saltwater. Large families, hamlets, villages could all experience dramatically improved quality of life starting from as little as a dozen Watercones set up close by the sea.

  4. Perfect for medical purposes.

There are thousands of hospitals in developing countries, field and mobile hospitals, first aid and emergency medical units around the world that are located in sunny climates and lack condensed water. Outfitted with just a dozen Watercones, a little field hospital could harvest 15 liters of condensed water per day. More than enough to make a difference for life or death.		   5. Creates jobs.

For centuries water vendors have walked the markets of hamlets, villages and cities around the world, mostly in Africa, the Mid East and Asia. Based in the vicinity of salt or brackish water and outfitted with a minor credit line, these vendors could invest in a dozen Watercones and sell 15 liters of water a day and have their investment returned in no more than half a year.		  



Transportation
    

Generally speaking, it would be desirable to cover the largest possible evaporation surface with a huge Water Cone. Unfortunately there are limitations set forth by the chosen production technology of thermo-forming. Additionally the Product must remain manageable in terms of handling and ergonomics. Based upon these considerations, the Water Cone has received ideal dimensions featuring a roughly 80 cm diameter at cone base and a height of 30cm. One box can load 10 Water Cones and 10 respective (80 cm base diameter) Tubs each
  

 




 

 

Instruction available for download

The user manual is available as PDF in following languages with supporting illustrations:
English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic.


1st page of instruction with illustration in English
2nd page with instruction in French, Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic as PDF 4MB




  Special Thanks

The Hans-Sauer-Stiftung in Munich helped to finance the project and the patents to make this innovation a success. From the very beginning they believed in the idea and the product.
Thank you very much for this support!		  
 


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