Filtration Design Sketches
Design 1: This filtration system requires multipe layers of sediment to filter the unsafe water. Cotton is used at the bottom and a cloth is used to better filter the water. Cotton may not be the most efficient because small particles can easily flow through over time.
Design 2: This system requires several layers of sediments to filter any impurities from the water. A coffee filter is placed at the bottom of the bottle to catch any small debris that flows through the layers. Because of the filter, this design can effectively get rid of particles.
Design 3: Along with sediment layers, this unique filtration system uses moss as the final layer to filter through. Moss is said to contain iodine, which would be used to purify the water. However, moss is not easy to find in some places and it may be sprayed with chemicals.
Decision Matrix
Design Brief
PROBLEM STATEMENT
The problem in this project is that we are trying to create an effective, cheap water filtration device that can be used in a crisis situation. Crisis situations such as natural disasters and human catastrophes leave many people without safe (adequate) water sources. This unsafe water puts people at risk of consuming water contaminants that may cause illness or even death.
TARGET AUDIENCE
The International Committee of the Red Cross is our client in this scenario. The Red Cross is an international humanitarian organization known for their disaster relief assistance in countless countries all over the world. This is a reliable organization because they are well-known contributors to saving the lives of numerous people in countries that have fallen prey to disaster.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
After comparing and contrasting multiple different natural real-life disasters, our group chose the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami as our crisis situation. In December of 2004, a 9.1 magnitude earthquake struck the coast of Sumatra, triggering a massive tsunami that would lead to the destruction of 14 countries and claiming hundreds of thousands of lives. For those that survived, the aftermath was devastating as people were without shelter, food, and water. The groundwater sources had been polluted by underground septic tanks and other bacteria. Our device will filter safe water for these people.
CRITERIA AND CONSTRAINTS
Project Criteria Project Constraints
1. Inexpensive 1. Size
2. Portable 2. Weight
3. Effective 3. Materials
4. Simple 4. Cost
5. Available Materials 5. Time
6. Durable 6. Complexity
DELIVERABLES
Create an effective, cheap water filtration device for the Red Cross to distribute to victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
Design 1 Design 2 Design 3
Cost
2 L Plastic Bottle - $1.50
Charcoal - $0. 75
Plastic Cup - $0.50
Coffee Filters (3) - $0.03
Rubberband - $0.05
Gravel - No cost
Sand - No Cost
Total Cost: $2.83