S.P.E.E.D. Box

One problem we have identified related to water is that people in underdeveloped countries only source of water is contaminated with bacteria. This bacteria can cause dissentary, which kills approximately 800,000 children per year.

We have developed a self-contained, self powered box that uses electrolysis to disinfect water, making it safer to drink--the S.P.E.E.D. Box. S.P.E.E.D. stands for Solar Powered Electric Electrolysis Disenfecter.

We are using electrolysis to disinfect water. Inside of this box is a 12-volt battery and an electrode box. Our electrode box contains four electrodes. When we wire the electricity up and pass the water through (and we will be adding salt to that water) the electricity will break down the salt molecules to produce chlorine, which will disinfect the water. The other parts of our box are the solar panel, and control panel. The solar panel will provide additional electricity to the system. The control panel will control the system.

To create our big box, electrode box, and frames for the solar and control panel we used Tinkercad. Tinkercad is a website where you can design 3D prints. We have used it to 3D print these things. A couple team members have gotten pretty good with this software.

We have chosen to improve upon an existing solution. NASA has developed something to use electrolysis to disinfect water, but that is complicated and very expensive. Our solution is much cheaper and easier to make.

The cost for this box would be about $100. This may sound like a lot at first, but compared to the Slingshot machine it isn’t a lot at all. The 3D print filament costs around $10, the solar panel about $20, the battery about $17, the control panel about $20, and the electrodes cost about $20.

Our solution will work anywhere the sun shines since it is solar powered. No other electricity is required and the box needs very little maintenance. No consumables are needed, making this a very green solution.

The best part is, we want no profit from this device. We are giving you all the plans and files so YOU can make a S.P.E.E.D Box to help make a difference in the world.

We created the parts in TinkerCAD (www.TinkerCAD.com) a free CAD program designed for kids. All of these files are available for download from this Instructable and can be printed on any 3D printer with a bed size of 200x200x200.

Download and print these files to form the basic box, legs, electrode box and solar panel holder.

Print all the attached 3D print files. These pieces were designed to fit on smaller 3D printers. Any printer than has a bed size of 200x200x200 or more can print these files. These files require less than 500 grams of filament (half of a standard roll). We used PLA filament, which has been rated as food safe by the Food and Drug Administration.

Drill 5/8" holes into each end of the electrode box and install hose connectors.

Once you have the Electrode box printed, insert the 4 electrodes into the brackets. Connect the two power leads to opposite electrodes (1 and 4).

Seal the electrode box with silicone.

Connect 12" hose pieces to each hose connector.

Place electrode box into main body and seal it in place with silicone.

Follow the instructions on the control box to hook up the box to the solar panel and feed power to the electrode box.

Glue together box sections to complete the box.

Mount the solar panel and connect the power leads to the control box.

Add 23 grams of salt to 200 milliliters of water to a bottle attached to the input hose. Pass this water through the machine and power it on. The output will provide enough chlorine to disinfect 100 gallons of water.

Results

Methods:

23 grams disinfects 100 gallons of water at a concentration 1.15ppm free chlorine.

26 oz. of salt cost approximately $1.00

26 oz. of salt can disinfect 3200 gallons of water

or disinfect enough water for 270 people a day.