Impact/Purpose:

The research involves two objectives: 1) We will optimize our treatment process in the laboratory, using experiments to assess the amount of seed required, the mixing type and time, and required alternatives for local conditions. 2) We will design, build and implement the process. We will work in collaboration with the EPA and Department of Health in Puerto Rico to incorporate our water purification process into certain communities where clean water is not available. Students working on this project will be enrolled in our Penn State CE 497D course.

Description:

We propose to design and implement a point-of-use process for water purification and storage in developing nations. Our research innovates on an existing technique for purifying water with seeds from the Moringa oleifera (Moringa) tree. Mixing water with crushed Moringa seeds clarifies and disinfects water; however, a critical challenge exists: Crushed Moringa seed leaves proteins and organics in water that bacteria use for food, and so the purified water cannot be stored. Therefore, the purification must be done daily, which is difficult and often not done.

Record Details:

Record Type:PROJECT( ABSTRACT )

Start Date:08/15/2010

Completion Date:08/14/2011

Record ID: 249230

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Related Organizations:

Role :OWNER

Organization Name :PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY

Mailing Address :201 Old Main

Citation :University Park

State :PA

Zip Code :16802

Project Information:

Approach :

Our technical approach is simple: To treat 20 liters/day of water requires only a bucket, ordinary sand, and seeds from the Moringa oleifera (Moringa) tree – which often exists already in targeted locations. By a) coating the protein onto sand, b) allowing the sand to mix with water, and c) letting the coated sand settle out, we clarify and disinfect the water without leaving dissolved organics. The sand is then ready for re-use. The impact on PEOPLE will be to free them from daily water purification – or diarrhea – giving more time to build PROSPERITY. Since Moringa seed degrades naturally, and the spent sand is easily regenerated in sunlight, not only is no footprint left, but the additional Moringa trees improve the PLANET and provide a source of prosperity. Therefore, the process is locally viable, culturally acceptable, and fully sustainable.

Cost :$10,000.00

Research Component :Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development

Approach :

Our technical approach is simple: To treat 20 liters/day of water requires only a bucket, ordinary sand, and seeds from the Moringa oleifera (Moringa) tree – which often exists already in targeted locations. By a) coating the protein onto sand, b) allowing the sand to mix with water, and c) letting the coated sand settle out, we clarify and disinfect the water without leaving dissolved organics. The sand is then ready for re-use. The impact on PEOPLE will be to free them from daily water purification – or diarrhea – giving more time to build PROSPERITY. Since Moringa seed degrades naturally, and the spent sand is easily regenerated in sunlight, not only is no footprint left, but the additional Moringa trees improve the PLANET and provide a source of prosperity. Therefore, the process is locally viable, culturally acceptable, and fully sustainable.

Cost :$10,000.00

Research Component :P3 Challenge Area - Agriculture

Approach :

Our technical approach is simple: To treat 20 liters/day of water requires only a bucket, ordinary sand, and seeds from the Moringa oleifera (Moringa) tree – which often exists already in targeted locations. By a) coating the protein onto sand, b) allowing the sand to mix with water, and c) letting the coated sand settle out, we clarify and disinfect the water without leaving dissolved organics. The sand is then ready for re-use. The impact on PEOPLE will be to free them from daily water purification – or diarrhea – giving more time to build PROSPERITY. Since Moringa seed degrades naturally, and the spent sand is easily regenerated in sunlight, not only is no footprint left, but the additional Moringa trees improve the PLANET and provide a source of prosperity. Therefore, the process is locally viable, culturally acceptable, and fully sustainable.

Cost :$10,000.00

Research Component :P3 Challenge Area - Water

Project IDs:

ID Code :SU834740

Project type :EPA Grant