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Solar Powered Water Treatment Machine Introduced into U.S. for Disaster Relief
Solar Powered Water Treatment Machine Introduced into U.S. for Disaster Relief
Published 03-07-07
Submitted by Spectra Watermakers, Inc.
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SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 7, 2007--If a natural disaster strikes, clean drinking water and emergency electricity can now be made readily available to affected communities through the innovative Solar Cube, being introduced for the first time in the U.S. by Spectra Watermakers, Inc., a Northern California water treatment company.
Completely portable and easily assembled on site, the Solar Cube is powered by sunlight and wind, and can provide up to 3,500 gallons of clean drinking water per day from polluted water or salt water -- enough to sustain hundreds of families during a disaster. It can also provide enough energy for emergency disaster officials to power refrigeration for emergency medical supplies, keep a laptop on-line, or ensure that crisis communications equipment remains operational.
The Solar Cube filters and purifies water from any number of sources, including seawater, river water, creek water, well water, or polluted fresh water. The Solar Cube is currently the only product available that integrates solar and wind power, water delivery, water pre-filtration, and water treatment in one self-contained unit.
The Solar Cube can also be used to provide water and electricity to remote locations, or for developers working in rural areas. The product is a joint venture of Spectra Watermakers, Inc., a California company known within the marine industry for its super-efficient watermaking devices, and Trunz, a Swiss manufacturing company.
"If New Orleans had the Solar Cube when Hurricane Katrina struck, water for the troubled city would have been readily available," said Bill Edinger, President of Spectra Watermakers, Inc. "The Solar Cube's pump could have been placed in the flooded streets of brackish water and would have filtered out up to 3,500 gallons of potable water a day per unit. This machine has the ability to save lives."
How it Works
The Solar Cube works by placing a pump, which is attached to the machine, into a polluted water or salt water source. The water is pumped through a series of filters to remove large matter. At the final stage, the water is filtered through a reverse osmosis membrane, which is so fine that it dispels all bacteria, viruses, salts and dangerous chemicals.
Power for the Solar Cube's operation is generated by 24 volt batteries which are charged by both the integrated photovoltaic solar panels and a wind powered generator. "The machine can run 24 hours a day, particularly if you have any wind at all," Edinger said.
Each system is sold complete and can be quickly assembled in less than an hour. Once assembled, the system is easy to operate, cleans its own filters, and has a service life of at least seven years. A portable water tester is included with the system to test the water to ensure that it is drinkable.
Successful Installations
During the past year, the Solar Cube has been introduced into remote areas of Asia and South America, where there is no clean drinking water or electricity. The Solar Cube provided drinking water and electrical power to several villages in Pakistan after the major earthquake in 2005. Currently, the Solar Cube is being used in isolated villages in Venezuela, and Pakistan.
In Karachi, Pakistan, the Solar Cube is providing over two and a half gallons of free, clean drinking water a day to 1000 families as a result of a government planned water program, which is taking place in the state of Balochistan over the next three years.
"We were chosen out of 170 different companies to work on this project because the Solar Cube has been in Pakistan for one year already and has been very efficient there," said Ralph Hangartner, a spokesman for Trunz.
The Solar Cube is a cooperative project by Spectra Watermakers, Inc., of San Rafael, and Trunz Metallchnik AG of Switzerland. Spectra's unique and resourceful water desalinization system was of great interest to Trunz because they were looking for a way to incorporate seawater purification into their other water treatment systems. The two companies decided to partner in manufacturing highly efficient water treatment systems. The Solar Cube ranges in price from $38,000 to $80,000 and has a service life of at least seven years.
About Spectra Water Makers
Spectra Watermakers, Inc. (www.spectrawatermakers.com) is headquartered in San Rafael, CA. and was formed in 1997 as a division of Edinger Marine Service, Inc., which was established in 1976 as a marine equipment and system distributor. The Spectra Watermachine is the result of technology known as the "Clark" High Pressure Pump. Until the inception of the Spectra system, it was not possible to make water in an energy efficient, quiet and ultra-reliable manner. The Spectra Watermachine has been selected as the product of choice for high-profile boat events and races such as the Volvo Around the World Race, with seven of the eight boats that raced having Spectra Watermachines on them. Throughout the years, Spectra has refined and implemented a number of improvements that continue to make Spectra the system of preference in its market segment. Currently, their products are distributed globally, with agents located in the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South and Central America, Caribbean, Persian Gulf, the Far East and Pacific Rim.
About Trunz
Trunz Metalltechnik AG (www.trunz.ch) was founded in 1972 in Switzerland as a company for ventilation and climatic assemblies by Remo Trunz. In 2003, the company expanded their operations to vehicle technology and currently works on auto parts for Volvo and Mercedes Benz. The Trunz group is currently among the highest authority in the processing of sheet metals and pipes. The company has three divisions: Trunz Metal Technology, Trunz Air Duct Systems, and Trunz Vehicle Technology which also manufactures Water Technology. Trunz began working on Water Technology because they see clean drinking water as the largest challenge facing the planet now and in the future.
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