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Flow

Flow is an off-grid shower system powered by bioethanol, providing warm, reliable showers in underdeveloped regions. Promoting health and dignity while championing environmental sustainability.

  • Hero Image Flow - Bringing Clean, Bioethanol-Powered Hot Showers to Underdeveloped Communities.

  • Explore the journey of innovation and development behind the design. From initial concepts to prototype refinement.

    Explore the journey of innovation and development behind the design. From initial concepts to prototype refinement.

  • The benefits of bioethanol fuel and why it's an ideal choice for sustainable water heating.

  • This slide showcases images from the prototyping process.

  • Diagram showing how the unit works.

  • This slide features a hero image highlighting the impact we make, along with our slogan.

Ce qu'il fait

Flow was designed to address the need for clean energy sources in developing countries in response to the Indoor Air Pollution from traditional methods. Providing a system to increase health and sanitation resulted in the off the grid shower system.


Votre source d'inspiration

Growing up in a developing country, I’ve witnessed firsthand the profound impact that access to basic amenities can have on people’s lives. The simple luxury of running warm water is often taken for granted in the more privileged parts of the world. My passion for creating the shower stems from an understanding of how fundamental basic hygiene needs are too often overlooked. The Shower Project has the potential to provide not only dignity but also empowerment to communities, fostering a ripple effect that positively influences their overall well-being, transforming lives and building stronger, more resilient communities.


Comment ça marche

The Flow shower system operates using a bioethanol canister that is inserted and safely ignited within the device to start the heating process. The system incorporates a pressure reducing valve at the water inlet, converting it into a low-pressure system for safety and efficiency purposes. Water first enters a preheating tank designed to capture excess heat from the system, and from there, it flows into the main tank, heated by the bioethanol canister. Once it reaches 6°C, it’s ready for showering. User convenience was a major priority, so a tempering valve that blends hot and cold water was incorporated to maintain a consistent temperature of 38°C during dispensing. For added safety in this pressurised system, a pressure and temperature relief valve provides an additional layer of protection. This comprehensive design ensures reliable performance and user-friendly operation, catering to both comfort and safety in providing accessible hot water solutions.


Processus de conception

To start my journey, I began with a simple experiment, playing around with the canister and whistling kettle to get a feel for the heating power and to become comfortable managing the flame. From there, I bought chimney flutes to mock up a tank and create a more coherent proof of concept. Despite my enthusiasm, these tanks turned into leaky sieves, and I soon had a watery mess in the workshop, but despite this, the initial attempt provided the validation I needed to pursue the concept. That's when I moved from a workshop to a fabrications factory. I spent weeks at the factory, prototyping different ideas and solutions until I finally had a one that did the job. Throughout development, my focus remained on affordability, user-friendliness, heating efficiency, and repairability. The high-fidelity prototype was not without its own issues. Extensive welding and processing led to leaks and prolonged project lead times, the shower's high flow rate resulted in water waste, and heat was not circulating as intended due to large gaps in the system. These issues forced me to make real-time iterations and adopt a more fluid design process, learning the importance of making adjustments without hesitation, rather than feeling constrained by the need to finalize designs in CAD beforehand.


En quoi est-il différent ?

What sets my design apart is its use of bioethanol, an eco-friendly and sustainable fuel source. Unlike conventional methods that rely on electricity, gas, coal, or wood, my bioethanol-powered system offers a greener alternative, significantly reducing carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. Conventional water heating technologies often require substantial infrastructure and access to the power grid, which many developing countries lack. This leaves communities dependent on unsafe and inefficient methods like open fires for heating water. Bringing hot showers to underdeveloped communities is more than a luxury—it's a transformative act that restores dignity, fosters health, and ignites hope. My design addresses these critical needs, providing a reliable and sustainable source of hot water that can significantly improve quality of life.


Plans pour l'avenir

After completing the prototype and reflecting on the progress, I've outlined goals for the next phases. In the next 3 months, I'll aim to refine the prototype using feedback received, address functional issues, and gather performance data. Over the following 6 months, integration of advanced features like an electronic ignition system and temperature alert device, as well as exploring materials and manufacturing methods to cut costs, all while engaging in focus groups to drive design improvements. To allow full design exploration financial planning is crucial, so exploring funding avenues such as grants and investments will be essential.


Récompenses

- IED Best Engineering Product Design Final Year Project 2024 (awarded at New Designers) - LSBU award for Social Impact (awarded at Product of South Bank Degree Show)


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