Centrifugal Water Purifier

While often considered safe for daily use, tap water can sometimes harbor contaminants that pose health risks. Various factors contribute to the dirtiness of tap water, including aging infrastructure, which can leach lead and other harmful metals into the supply, and agricultural runoff, introducing pesticides and fertilizers. Industrial pollutants and microbial pathogens may also find their way into the water system despite treatment processes. Even in areas with stringent regulations, occasional lapses in water quality monitoring or treatment failures can lead to outbreaks of waterborne illnesses.

A month ago, I was leisurely engaged in my homework in my room when my mother called me to inspect something. What she revealed to me was our kitchen's water filter, which was appallingly filthy, covered in grime, and infested with bacteria. My mother informed me that she had replaced the water filter merely two weeks prior, yet it was already in dire need of another replacement. This revelation made me reflect on how dirty our water actually is and how inefficient and costly it is to replace a water filter biweekly. As a solution, I propose the idea of a centrifugal water purifier.

The centrifugal water purifier uses centripetal force to separate contaminants from water. Centrifuges spin substances at high speeds in which the centripetal force causes the separation of the particles. By turning water at high speeds, particles, and impurities are forced to the periphery, leaving clean water in the center. Integrating this piece of technology into every household would ensure water cleanliness for everyone and longer-lasting water filters. My model has enough room for a bottle of water and after only 60 seconds in the centrifuge, you can have clean drinking water.

• DC Motor
• 3 1.5V AA Batteries
• Switch
• Filament for 3D Printing
• Glass
• Two Corks

For my first step, I made a simple series circuit using a switch, source of voltage (3 1.5V AA Batteries), and a DC Motor. This circuit makes the DC Motor spin at approximately 8784 rotations per minute, which is more than enough to separate small particles such as lead from water. I wired this circuit in series so that voltage could pass through evenly and most efficiently.

Next, I made a simple bottle-like container that holds the water. The top and bottom will be made out of silicone or stainless steel to ensure a long lifespan and the middle which holds the water is made of glass. These materials do not degrade over time leading to a longer functionality. There is a hole on top which a cork would be put into. This hole is for tap water to enter the container. There is another hole on the side of the container. Another cork would be placed there and this hole would be used to pour clean water out. Finally, the bottom is twistable so after the container has accumulated particles, it can be unscrewed and washed out. The bottom also has a hole in it where you can insert the DC motor.

Next, I simply created corks out of cylinders in TinkerCAD. One cork is 13mm in diameter and the other cork is 25mm in diameter.

Finally, I assembled all the parts together.