REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHEASTERN PHILIPPINES

A.Y. 2021-2022

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

NAT SCI 1/L CE

CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS

GROUP 3: WATER PURIFICATION: Solar Still

Consolidated Written Report

SUBMITTED BY

MALLARI, JORDAN B.
MANGUBAT, CIANINE DIANE T.
MATIVO, DARYL
MERENCILLO, MONIQUE
NAVARRO, KATE ROXANNE C.

SUBMITTED TO

MS. KATHLEEN CADEÑO

 EXPERIMENT IN CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Consolidated Written Report ..................................................................................................... 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................... 2

INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 3

Team Assignments and Documentation .................................................................................... 4

Background of the Study ........................................................................................................... 5

Distillation Process .................................................................................................................... 7

General Procedure of Making a Basic Solar Still ...................................................................... 8

Experimental Set-up #1.............................................................................................................. 9

Pictures for Each Set-up ....................................................................................................... 13

Data Analysis 1 .................................................................................................................... 10

Experimental Set-up #2............................................................................................................ 11

Data Analysis 2 .................................................................................................................... 12

Comparison Table .................................................................................................................... 14

Heat Required in Distillation ................................................................................................... 14

Insulating Materials ................................................................................................................. 15

Implication ............................................................................................................................... 16

References ................................................................................................................................ 17

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INTRODUCTION

This written report is a consolidated output from five first year engineering students

from the University of Southeastern Philippines. This paper focuses on the concept of water

purification particularly innovating a model of a water purifier called solar still. In this

consolidated report, there were two experimental set-ups that were made that use solar still to

purify water; these two set ups had been compared and analyzed based on its efficiency.

Furthermore, the researchers based the efficiency on the following variables: material utilized

and heat energy absorbed (based on usual outside temperature).

The aim of this specific experiment is to come up with an effective and convenient way

of having a purifying water using a solar still. Specifically, the researchers are guided with the

following objectives:

1. Conduct the basic method of making a solar still

2. Identify the areas of improvement

3. Conduct the innovated method of making a solar still

4. Compare and contrast the results based on percentage of water purified

5. Discuss the contrasted results

Moreover, in this consolidated report, the background of the study is presented by

discussing the common problems that the world is facing today due to the lack of clean and

drinking water. Also, the concept of solar still will be thoroughly defined and the scientific

methodology behind it. The results of the experiment would then help the researchers to come

up with a conclusion that could potentially be helpful to the underlying problems of clean water

scarcity. Lastly, the overall implication was stated in the latter part of the paper.

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Team Assignments and Documentation

In the expected output, the instructor provided a set of objectives as a guide for making

the experiment. In addition, the methodology for the making of the entire set-up had also been

suggested. For that reason, the innovation process focused more on improvising materials to

come up with a better and more efficient solar still.

To include, due to the limited time frame and resources, the team leader decided with

the approval of the group that only two members will conduct the experiment: one using the

original method and the other improvising. The rest of the group are then tasked on finding

related literature that could support the results of the study. Related literatures are important in

validating our data analysis and is vital in having a well-rounded conclusion and basis for

recommendation.

In addition, all of the actions from the planning, conceiving, implementing, innovating,

and to the making of the consolidated report were documented with pictures and/or videos.

Finally, all of the researchers provided their own individual journal entries. For complete

details regarding the documentative reports and journals, please refer to the links provided

below:

Documentation:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PwWDd2tXqxOnnOPchKYYSCWawVgJyaAY?usp

=sharing

Journal Entries:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/17GhS5gS1VPTJCpje1hifllnKaGTX3ZB?usp=sharing

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Background of the Study

As per the report of World Wildlife Fund (n.d.), water comprises 70% of our world,

and it's natural to believe that it will always be abundant. However, freshwater—the liquid that

we drink, bathe in, and use to irrigate our farm fields—is extremely scarce. Only 3% of the

world's water is fresh, and two-thirds of that is trapped in frozen glaciers or is otherwise

unusable.

As a result, around 1.1 billion people globally lack access to water, while another 2.7

billion face water scarcity at least once a year. Inadequate sanitation also affects 2.4 billion

people, exposing them to diseases like cholera and typhoid fever, as well as other water-borne

disorders. Each year, two million people, largely children, die from diarrheal illnesses.

However, the effects of clean water scarcity do not only reflect on the worldwide scale.

It is also present in the current context of the Philippines. In fact, in 2016, acute watery diarrhea

was one of the top ten major causes of mortality in the Philippines, claiming over 139 000 lives.

Further, supported by World Health Organization (2019), the situation might deteriorate further

as the country is afflicted by the El Nio phenomena and climate change, both of which

contribute to temperature increases and the drying up of our water resources. The current water

crisis in Metro Manila further demonstrates the insecurity surrounding water availability in the

nation's capital.

Inadequate and irregular water supply in Metro Manila and other sections of the nation

might have grave health repercussions. When water is scarce, people are frequently forced to

rely on potentially unsafe drinking water sources. In a nutshell, this implies that in some regions

of the Philippines, the water shortage is so severe that the tiny quantity of water available to

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some inhabitants, particularly during the summer, is insufficient for basic needs such as

cooking, drinking, and personal hygiene. The study continued by stating that failure to supply

clean water is connected with newborn mortality from diarrhea and other waterborne illnesses

caused by harmful microorganisms conveyed by water (Tolentino, 2020).

In the local level, signs of water crisis are still evident. Fuertes and Esquillo (2019)

reported that by 2025, Davao City would have a groundwater shortfall of 69 million cubic

meters (45% of demand). This is anticipated to occur, given the City's expanding population

and economic activity. Additionally, the devastation of water recharge regions in the uplands

continues unabated. At the moment, the Davao City Water District relies on groundwater for

98 percent of its water supply. Thus, the City's drinking water supply will soon come from

surface water sources like as the Panigan-Tamugan River in Baguio District.

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Distillation Process

Simple distillation is a technique for removing a solution's solvent from it. For instance,

simple distillation may be used to extract water from a salt solution. This approach works due

to the fact that water has a lower boiling point than salt. Water evaporates from the solution

when it is heated. After cooling, it is condensed and stored in a separate container. Because the

salt does not evaporate, it remains (Bitesize, n.d.).

Also defined by Darwish et al. (2015), distillation is one of the oldest ways people have

used to cleanse water throughout history. Thermal distillation is a process that alters the

physical state of water using a heat source that can be driven by a variety of different energy

sources. Essentially, this process heats saltwater, brackish water, or any other impaired water

to the boiling point and produces steam, which is then condensed to freshwater in a condenser.

When it comes to water distillation processes, solar still comes in handy. It is a gadget

that purifies water by the use of solar energy. Numerous variations of a still are used to

desalinate saltwater, create desert survival kits, and purify water at home. As stated by New

Atlas (2021), a solar still distills water containing dissolved compounds by evaporating it and

cooling and collecting it, therefore purifying it. They are used in locations where drinking water

is scarce to extract pure water from polluted water or plants exposed to sunshine.

Concentrated solar stills and condensation traps are two forms of stills. Impure water is

held outside the collector in a solar still, where it is evaporated by sunlight passing through a

transparent collector. Condensation occurs when pure water vapoor condenses on the chilly

interior surface and drips into a tank.

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General Procedure of Making a Basic Solar Still

1. Add a measured volume of hot water (about 1 cm) to the bowl/plastic basin.

2. Add some food coloring and about a teaspoonful of salt to the water in the bowl. T

3. Take all the equipment out to a sunny, level place.

4. Place the glass or cup in the middle of the bowl making sure no water splashes into it

5. Cover the bowl loosely with cling film, sealing the film to the rim of the bowl. (Use

tape or string if necessary.)

6. Place the stone in the middle of the film above the cup.

7. Leave the still for at least an hour (the longer the better) and then check that there is

some water in the cup.

8. Take the still back indoors, remove the cling film and take out the cup without splashing

any water into or out of the cup

9. Measure the amount of water in the cup.

10. Observe the color of the water in the cup and test it for salt.

11. Calculate the percentage of the water that was purified:

𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑
% 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑 = × 100%
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑙

ℎ 𝑑 2
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑏𝑜𝑤𝑙 = 𝜋 ∙ ∙ (3 ∙ ( ) + ℎ2 )
6 2

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑔𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 = 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ

12. Look at your results and explain what happened to the water. Why is it called “purified

water”? Write your suggestions

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Experimental Set-up #1

Conducted by: Cianine Diane T. Mangubat

Material used: Glass Bowl

Materials Used:

Large Glass bowl Glass Salt

Cling Film Hot Water

Food Dye Pebbles

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Data Analysis 1

Volume of water added to still:

Diameter of the circumference covered by the salty water: 30 cm

Height covered by the salty water: 1 cm

ℎ 𝑑 2
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑏𝑜𝑤𝑙 = 𝜋 ∙ ∙ (3 ∙ ) + ℎ2 )
(
6 2

1𝑐𝑚 30 𝑐𝑚 2
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑏𝑜𝑤𝑙 = 𝜋 ∙ ∙ (3 ∙ ( ) + 1𝑐𝑚2 )
6 2

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑏𝑜𝑤𝑙 = 355.828707696 𝑐𝑚3

Volume collected:

Base Radius of the circumference covered by the salty water: 1 cm

Height covered by the distilled water: 0.2 cm

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑔𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 = 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑔𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 = 𝜋(1cm)2 0.2 cm

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑔𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 = 0.62831853071796 𝑐𝑚3

Percentage of water purified:

𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑
% 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑 = × 100%
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑙

0.62831853071796 𝑐𝑚3
% 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑 = × 100%
355.828707696 𝑐𝑚3

% 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟏𝟕𝟔𝟓𝟕𝟖𝟗𝟑𝟏𝟕% 𝐨𝐫 𝟏. 𝟕𝟔𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑

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Experimental Set-up #2

Conducted by: Kate Roxanne C. Navarro

Method used: Plastic Basin

Materials Used:

Plastic Basin Glass Salt

Cling Film Hot Water

Food Dye Pebbles

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Data Analysis 2

Volume of water added to still:

Diameter of the circumference covered by the salty water: 36.5 cm

Height covered by the salty water: 1 cm

ℎ 𝑑 2
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑏𝑜𝑤𝑙 = 𝜋 ∙ ∙ (3 ∙ ) + ℎ2 )
(
6 2

1𝑐𝑚 36.5 cm 2
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑏𝑜𝑤𝑙 = 𝜋 ∙ ∙ (3 ∙ ( ) + 1𝑐𝑚2 )
6 2

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑏𝑜𝑤𝑙 = 522.386826192 𝑐𝑚3

Volume collected:

Base Radius of the circumference covered by the salty water: 1 cm

Height covered by the distilled water: 0.5 cm

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑔𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 = 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑔𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 = 𝜋(1 cm)2 0.5 cm

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑔𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 = 1.5707963267949 𝑐𝑚3

Percentage of water purified:

𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑
% 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑 = × 100%
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑙

1.5707963267949 𝑐𝑚3
% 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑 = × 100%
522.386826192 𝑐𝑚3

% 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟑𝟎𝟎𝟔𝟗𝟔𝟎𝟎𝟔𝟗% 𝐨𝐫 𝟑. 𝟎𝟎𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑

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Pictures for Each Set-up

Hours Picture

Set up 1: 1st Hour

Set up 1: 2nd Hour

Set up 2: 1st Hour

Set up 2: 2nd Hour

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Comparison Table

Trial Bowl used Hours Volume of water Volume of water % of

3 3
Exposed added in 𝑐𝑚 collected in 𝑐𝑚 water
outside purifie
at 34℃ d
Set- 3 3
Transparent 2 hours 109.776941736 𝑐𝑚 2.0106192982975 𝑐𝑚 𝟏. 𝟕𝟔𝟔

up #1 Glass bowl × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑

Set- Plastic 2 hours 522.386826192 𝑐𝑚3 3.5342917352885 𝑐𝑚3 𝟑. 𝟎𝟎𝟔

up #2 Basin × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑

Heat Required in Distillation

It was stated in the process of distillation that distillation begins by heating a liquid to

its boiling point. The liquid condenses into a vapor. The vapor is then cooled, often by passing

it through cooler pipes or tubes. Thus, requiring a certain amount of heat enough to condense

the liquid into a vapor.

In experiment number one, using a plastic bowl, we can see that the percentage of water

purified is significantly less than the percentage of water purified in the experimental set-up

number 2. An underlying factor must exist for such difference to occur, considering that both

are exposed to an outside temperature of 34℃ over a time period of two hours. The material

that had changed was the base material used. Experimental set-up number 1 used a glass bowl

as the primary material to put the water in. While in the second set-up, it utilized a plastic basin.

To understand this concept, we should first define the term insulating materials.

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Insulating Materials

Based on the definition given by Keith (2014), insulator is a term that refers to a

substance that does not conduct electricity. Paper, plastic, rubber, glass, and air are all

insulating materials. Although vacuum is an insulator, it is not a substance.

Knowing that plastics and glass are both insulators, let us now compare the insulating

characteristics of these two materials. Plastics are great insulators, which means they

effectively trap heat - a property that might be advantageous in applications such as a coffee

cup sleeve (Chu, 2018). Supported by Cope (2021), polymers, which are long repetitive chains

of macromolecules, are used to make plastic. The chains of macromolecules are highly firmly

bonded, which results in their extraordinary flexibility. This is why plastic can be formed into

a variety of forms and sizes. Due to the molecules' very close proximity, it is exceedingly

impossible for any electrical to get through. Additionally, the macro molecules act as a barrier

to the transfer of heat energy.

Glass, on the other hand is far less insulating than paper, plastic, and Styrofoam. In

terms of BTU/ (feet - hour - degrees F), glass has a thermal conductivity of 1.82, paper has a

thermal conductivity of 0.09, and Styrofoam has a thermal conductivity of 0.06. The thermal

conductivity of plastics varies according to the material: polypropylene has a thermal

conductivity of 0.69 whereas polycarbonate has a thermal conductivity of 0.35 (Summer,2019).

From the ideas stated, we can say that the glass bowl is a weaker insulator than the

plastic basin. Which means, the plastic retains more heat, and as a result, traps heat inside the

space and it can perform the process of distillation better. This approves the result of the

experiment wherein the set up that had more effective distillation is the second one that used

plastic basin.

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Implication

To imply, individuals in every society can consider the use of plastic containers as a

medium to be utilized in making an improvised solar still. Consequently, it might address the

concern of which material is mor convenient and effective in purifying water in emergency

situations. Related organizations should also consider recycling plastics to generate a more

efficient solar still that can be sold in the market.

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References

Bitsize. (n.d.). Separating the solvent from a solution – simple distillation - Separating

mixtures - KS3 Chemistry Revision. BBC Bitesize. Retrieved December 1, 2021, from

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zgvc4wx/revision/3#:%7E:text=Simple%20dis

tillation%20is%20a%20method,is%20heated%2C%20the%20water%20evaporates.

Chu, J. (2018, March 30). Engineers turn plastic insulator into heat conductor. MIT News |

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved December 1, 2021, from

https://news.mit.edu/2018/engineers-turn-plastic-insulator-heat-conductor-0330

Cope, L. (2021, November 10). Post author: Liam Cope. Engineer Fix. Retrieved December

1, 2021, from https://engineerfix.com/plastic-is-it-a-conductor-or-insulator/

Darwish, Lauren, & Rose. (2015). 2.2 Desalination by distillation. Desalination by

Distillation. Retrieved December 1, 2021, from

https://www.oas.org/dsd/publications/unit/oea59e/ch21.htm

Fuertes, & Equillo. (2019). International Water Day. Water For Life. Published.

Keith, J. (2014, January 2). What is an Insulator? ElectroSchematics.Com. Retrieved

December 1, 2021, from https://www.electroschematics.com/what-is-an-insulator/

New Atlas. (2021, June 24). “Reverse solar still” keeps its cool to wring drinking water from

air. Retrieved December 1, 2021, from https://newatlas.com/science/passive-drinking-

water-harvester/

Summer, D. (2019, July 2). What Is a Better Insulator: Paper, Glass, Plastic, or Styrofoam?

Sciencing. Retrieved December 1, 2021, from https://sciencing.com/what-is-a-better-

insulator-paper-glass-plastic-or-styrofoam-5117069.html

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Tolentino. (2017, May 2). Diarrhoeal disease. World Health Organization. Retrieved

December 1, 2021, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-

sheets/detail/diarrhoeal-disease

World Health Organization. (2019, June 27). In the Philippines, New Water Sources Bring

New Opportunities - Philippines. ReliefWeb. Retrieved December 1, 2021, from

https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/philippines-new-water-sources-bring-new-

opportunities#:%7E:text=Water%20shortage%20is%20not%20a,almost%20impossibl

e%20to%20bathe%20daily.

World Wildlife Fund. (n.d.). Water Scarcity | Threats | WWF. Retrieved December 1, 2021,

from https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/water-scarcity

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