Aqua Desalination using Photo Voltaic Panel

Project Title

Aqua Desalination using Photo Voltaic Panel

Project Area of Specialization Electrical/Electronic EngineeringProject Summary

This project is a green-energy solution to convert the non-drinkable water to drinkable. It is done by using Solar Photo-Voltaic Panel and using an efficient process of Reverse Osmosis at the least cost to charge the batteries which in effect would run the pump and the circuit.

Secondly, as the saline water table in southern Punjab and Upper Sindh makes it useless for the cultivatable land to be irrigated. Hence, desalination is the key to overcome this problem. It is an indigenous device, which doesn’t need to be grid-connected and has huge entrepreneurial potential. If scaled this can be used for agriculture as well. We have used different sensors like flow rate sensors and have used PIC microcontrollers to control the pump and different operations. It’s user-friendly as well.

Project Objectives

1. The current issue is that in Pakistan, salt-influenced soils alone happen on more than 6 million hectares and over 70% of the cylinder wells in saline regions are siphoning out bitter water, so if made scaleable it can be used in agricultural lands hence replacing diesel-based tubewells. The issue is more extreme in Sindh and Southern Punjab than different pieces of the nation.
2. As well as it caters to the drinking water scarcity issue especially in Metropolitan Cities (e.g. Karachi, Faisalabad).
3. Efficient Desalination System
4. Use clean energy instead of fuel-based solutions efficiently to do this process
5. Develop User-Friendly System 
6. It likewise has immense commercialization potential
7. By using RO Desalination System we would attain TDS( Total Dissolved Solids) value of <500 ppm

Project Implementation Method

Firstly, we started researching on many topics but since this topic was related to masses, it caught our eyes. Then, we divided our start to end journey into 7 Months period Project Milestone Plan. It helped us to keep track of our project completion. 

After evaluating and comparing several research papers, we came across many methods of desalination, but reverse osmosis was efficient.

After the fundamental water sample testing, we began the project.

Then, after searching the internet we came across many simulation software, but IMS design software aids us to determine the process flow and tailor our system to our own requirements, such as how many membranes we require up to which salt levels.

That simulation helped us to determine the pipe selection, the pressure which we require for our project which in effect assisted us to determine the pump i.e. diaphragm pump and relevant system.

Moreover, we designed the solar converter circuit. At last, we finally tested our system for desired results and it worked.

Benefits of the Project

1. Energy efficient
2. Removes efficiently Sodium, lead and  other heavy metals that can cause many diseases if continuously used for a long period of time
3. Removes most of the Bacteria as the membrane is thin enough to filter them out
4. Easy and Cheap maintenance
5. High cleaning rate, membrane rejects 98% salt
6. Low Cost

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

In our final deliverable product, brackish water is moved through three pre-treatment filters, which are as following: 

• Sediment Filter
• Big Particle Filter
• CTO- GAC (reduces chlorine and organic compounds)

Then, after coming over from pre-treatment filters high-pressure switch which is a sensor-controlled by PIC microcontroller. It is a safety switch, on or off the diaphragm pump. This pump uses 24volts 1.5amps direct current to work.

Our system uses 2 solar photovoltaic panels of 20volts and 18watts each. These are used to charge the batteries which in effect would make the diaphragm pump works. The solar charges batteries through the boost converter. The boost converter is integrated with Pic microcontroller and LCD, so data from sensors, such as flow rate, conductivity, battery voltage and its voltage percentage left can be viewed. The pump provides appropriate pressure to the membrane. The specifications of the Reverse Osmosis membrane are as following:

• Type: Thinfilm composite
• Rejection Rate: 98%
• Material: Polyamide
• Maximum Flow: 15.8l/hr

As the water comes out from the membrane it enters into post-treatment equipment which includes the following:

• Carbon Filter( Reduce Odor and Taste)

Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemCore Industry AgricultureOther Industries Others , Health Core Technology Internet of Things (IoT)Other Technologies Others, Clean TechSustainable Development Goals Good Health and Well-Being for People, Clean Water and Sanitation, Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Climate ActionRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	44300
RO Membrane	Equipment	1	4000	4000
Pre & Post Treatment Filters	Equipment	1	11000	11000
Batteries	Equipment	2	2000	4000
Diaphragm Pump	Equipment	1	4500	4500
Solar PV Panel	Equipment	2	2500	5000
Flow Sensor	Equipment	1	600	600
Low & High Pressure Switch	Equipment	2	500	1000
LCD	Equipment	1	600	600
PIC Microcontroller	Equipment	1	600	600
PCB Circuit Board & Components	Equipment	1	3000	3000
Miscellaneous	Miscellaneous	10	1000	10000