AquaPak, A Solar Water Pasteurizer
Now Ready for World Distribution
Solar Solutions Laboratories announces the release of a Solar Water
Pasteurizer, called the AquaPak, that will cost less than two dollars
per unit to manufacture in third world countries. The AquaPak has
the potential to save
thousands
of lives and significantly reduce illness among rural populations
in nations where access to safe drinking water is scarce, because
of pathogens(bacteria,viruses,and parasites,etc.) like cholera and
salmonella that are found in the water
Pasteurization technology was discovered by Louis Pasteur in 1867,
but to date efforts to develop a small, extremely low cost, easy-to-use
solar pasteurizer have failed to yield a viable solution for mass
distribution. The AquaPak represents a significant breakthrough in
this technology. The AquaPak is made from low cost polyethylene plastic
(also used in food preparation boiling bags) with UV inhibitors added,
and air-filled bubble pak sheeting (originally developed for the packing
industry). Using only solar energy, the AquaPak can
heat water to temperatures beyond 65 degrees Celsius, a temperature
that will kill all waterborne pathogens (bacteria, viruses, parasites).
The edges of the plastic layers are bonded using tapered seals so
the AquaPak can pass a 10 foot drop test.
In tests conducted by BioVir Laboratories, San Francisco, CA, on virus contaminated water and by Environmental Engineering Laboratories, San Diego, CA, on bacterial pathogens, the AquaPak eradicated over 99.99% of the pathogens present.
Designed to be mass produced at independently owned manufacturing
facilities in the tropical developing world, the AquaPak can be manufactured
for less than $2.00US. The AquaPak employs a reusable sealed glass
tube indicator—called a WAPI—filled with colored wax that
melts when heated to the required temperature of 65 degrees C. Depending
on the availability of sunlight throughout the day, an AquaPak
can produce up to 3 gallons (maximum) of water per day, enough safe
drinking water for a family of four.
Solar Solutions will seek to align this manufacturing technology with international government authorities and humanitarian health organizations, such as the Global Alliance For Africa, United Nations, World Health Organization, the International Red Cross, the Peace Corps, World Vision and others. While US pharmaceutical companies are striving to provide affordable antibiotics to these poorer nations, the affected populations are frequently taking the medications with pathogen-laden water, which can cause diarrhea and death by dehydration. The AquaPak provides a realistic long-term solution by eliminating the reintroduction of the offending pathogens to the digestive system.
The AquaPak has been developed by Solar Solutions LLC in San Diego,
CA. Solar Solutions was founded in 1996 by inventor and entrepreneur,
Frank Husson, to provide diverse solutions for global water purification
through solar technologies.
Click here to purchase
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