Recent advances in devices for the heat pasteurization of drinking water in the developing world

Abstract

The lack of clean water for drinking and washing is a major health problem in developing countries. One way to provide clean drinking water is to pasteurize it, a process where the water is heated to a temperature high enough to kill bacteria, viruses, and other water-borne pathogens. In this paper several methods for pasteurizing water using solar energy are described. A description and cost estimate of each device is given, and when available, a summary of results from laboratory and field testing. A basic heat transfer analysis is done on one class of devices in order to find those parameters which most effect the potable water output, and thereby identi& the most effective means for increasing that supply by varying those critical parameters. Some suggestions for future work are included in the conclusion.