HydroPurification

What it does

HydroPurification is a portable, 4-layer greywater purification system that removes all known pathogens, contaminants, pesticides and herbicides, ensuring high-quality water from various sources. It allows water reuse in the midst of rising global water crisis

Your inspiration

This greywater purification system was initially inspired by our first year of engineering, where we developed a cost-effective solution for Aboriginal communities in Australia. However after participating in competitions throughout the UAE we discovered that there are very few existing solutions for treating greywater. The dire reality of the water crisis and the double in projected number of people facing water scarcity in 2050 further fueled our determination to refine and develop this system. With its scalability and effectiveness, HydroPurification aspires to make purified greywater reuse the way forward to combat global water scarcity.

How it works

The HydroPurification system uses a 4-layered filtration process to ensure the highest quality of water produced. Greywater enters the system through the 1st layer, where a coarse panel microfiber filter removes larger contaminants like hair and lint. The 2nd layer is a Slow Sand Filtration Setup, consisting of fine sand and gravel to remove pathogenic microorganisms and other suspended organic and nonorganic contaminants, with a 99.99% accuracy for bacteria and viruses. The water then passes through two UV water filters, which effectively eliminate any remaining pathogens from the water. The 4th layer features two flatbed sheets of granulated activated carbon (GAC), which removes the odor, taste, 81 different chemicals like chlorine and fluoride, and all 12 known pesticides and herbicides. The purified water then flows through the GAC sheets and is collected in a collection chamber, which is attached to a pipe for any of its wide plethora of use cases

Design process

In the initial design iteration, greywater components were analyzed and targeted using specific techniques. Layer 1 was chosen as a large physical impurities filter to prevent damage to the sand layer below. This extended the life of the slow sand filter in the 2nd layer, which was installed to emulate energy-efficient biomimicry. In the 3rd layer, chlorine was used for disinfection. Water levels were to be checked daily using a water level sensor and the chlorine and GAC amounts were then calculated using ratios and inputted manually. However, this method greatly limited our scalability and efficiency at different sizes. That meant we must further improve our design for the 3rd and 4th layers. In the latest design, we tackled this by replacing the chlorine with two UV light water filters. As for the GAC, instead of having it inputted manually, we used two flat sheets made of GAC and placed them in the 4th layer. 2 sheets are used to ensure all the water sufficiently reacts with the GAC The portable version provides clean water access wherever users go, making it useful in outdoor settings, emergencies, or areas with compromised water quality. The scaled-up version has been adjusted to be used for large case settings like houses, residential blocks, offices, and leisure centers

How it is different

Our greywater purification system is unparalleled in its simplicity, effectiveness, and scalability, offering a unique approach suitable for portable as well as large-scale applications. Traditional slow sand filters lack the longevity of 3-5 years that we ensure. We understand that this is due to the sand getting clogged by larger impurities like hair and lint. Therefore in our design we have ensured that all such physical impurities are filtered out during the first stage through the coarse panel microfiber filter. The level of purity that the HydroPurification system offers is also unseen in any other greywater purification system. It allows us to remove all physical impurities, organic and nonorganic contaminants, pathogens, and 81 different chemicals, along with all 12 known pesticides and herbicides to ensure the user gets the highest quality effluent possible. We also achieve this without the environmental costs associated with methods like desalination

Future plans

The future of the system involves eliminating the use of batteries for UV filters by incorporating solar panels in the system and hence achieving our net zero goals Our long-term plan includes securing investments from stakeholders who share our vision, enabling us to develop a large-scale working prototype. With their support, we aim to bring our system to life and establish it as an indispensable tool for communities around the globe that are striving to combat current and future water scarcity issues. It is our fervent hope that this innovation will be implemented globally, making a tangible impact on the lives of countless individuals

Awards

Winners of ASHRAE Inter-University Competition 2023. Theme "Energy Saving for a Sustainable Future" Placed Highly in Emirated Enviornmental Group Sustainability Competition 2022 Placed Highly in DIAC Engineering Competition 2022. Theme "the most iconic and buzz-worthy bus stop design of tomorrow"