Solar Sponge Emergency Water Distiller

thingiverse

The disaster in the US has me thinking about essentials to have on hand, especially when clean water might be scarce for an extended period. I conceived this concept many years ago while leading adventure trips, a better method for purifying dirty or saltwater. It never advanced beyond a successful backyard test run. The design is uncomplicated, built from everyday household items and 3D printing. In emergency situations, simplicity can be advantageous! It functions under the same basic principles as solar water distillers, with one key difference: it employs a sponge to significantly increase the air-to-water surface area, allowing for faster evaporation than standard evaporative distillers. The sponge contains all the water, minimizing the risk of contaminating the clean water. The bowl's design is also weighted at the bottom, making it unlikely to tip over, and if it does, the bowl will still hold the water in place. **Here's what you'll need:** * A printed bowl (choose from 5mm or 1/4-20 threaded rods) * Printed 4 flat disc-like nuts for the above or standard nuts with washers * Printed bag clip * Round sponge(s) to fit the base of the bowl and be up to 25mm high - a cut-up towel can work as a substitute * Large clear or dark opaque garbage bag * Plastic bottle top and cap - see video below (not my video) * A piece of string