Wind-2-H₂O: Converting Wind Energy to Mechanical Energy for Water Treatment

    Develop and demonstrate a technology/prototype that will convert wind energy directly to mechanical energy that can be used to treat brackish ground water to drinking water quality.   

Background

    The option for inland desalinization for the supply of fresh water is becoming increasingly important in regions where there are not enough high-quality water resources available.  This issue is specifically critical in arid and semi-arid areas where the natural water resources are not sufficient to meet the population growth, economic development and agricultural needs. The 2003 Desalination and Water Purification Technology Roadmap states the need for and, advantages of, decentralized water treatment facilities.  Additionally, a wind-driven treatment technology would allow for treatment in rural and third-world locations where other forms of energy i.e., electricity are not available for the treatment of water.

Problem Statement

    Large sources of brackish groundwater are not useable for drinking water and/or agricultural purposes due to the lack of economical treatment options or its distance from an existing treatment facility. 

    The use of membrane technology for desalination requires a relatively large amount of electrical energy.  What is needed is the development and demonstration of a technology that converts wind energy directly to mechanical energy that can drive/power a water treatment process without first converting it to electricity.

 Design Considerations

 The proposed solution should:

• Harness the wind’s energy to power a water treatment process to treat brackish ground water;
• Should not convert the wind energy into electricity in order to power the treatment system;
• Be applicable to rural and third-world settings;
• Demonstrate that your proof-of-concept has the potential for real-life application;
• May use existing, off-the shelf technologies but not be limited to such devices as wind turbines and membranes (although these are perfectly acceptable) but be coupled in a new way to meet the objectives of this design challenge;
• Efficiently harness the wind energy available so as to require as low a wind speed as possible and still power the treatment system; and
• Meet all OSHA regulations.

Evaluation Criteria

    Each team is advised to read the Participation Guide for a comprehensive understanding of the contest evaluation criteria.  Upon your registration, WERC will provide you with a copy of the Public Involvement Plan and Participation Guide.  Additionally, your proposed design will be evaluated on issues identified in the problem statement as well as others listed below.

• Originality;
• Potential for real-life use and implementation;
• Reliability;
• Yield and viability;
• Energy and water use efficiency;
• Cost effective operation;
• Quality of the water produced for its intended application; and
• Functionality and operability throughout the year.

Bench-Scale Demonstration

    During the contest, WERC will provide you with up to five gallons of a sample consistent with typical brackish water containing various amounts of particulates, salts, etc.  The specific amount required for your process to operate during the bench-scale must be communicated to WERC at least three weeks prior to the contest.  Appropriate Material Safety Data Sheets should be available during the bench scale demonstration. The typical water quality follows:

Written Report Requirements

    The written report is the best means to demonstrate your team’s insight into the problem. The report should discuss other technologies considered but not pursued and why and to give the reader full understanding of the magnitude of your team’s involvement with the problem details.  The report will be evaluated for clarity, logic and coherence.  Standards appropriate for publications in technical journals apply.

    In addition to the listed requirements, the following must be discussed in your report to WERC management:

• Describe process steps in detail including cost/benefit, evaluation criteria, and screening protocol;
• Discuss advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of the selected method;
• Discuss possible storage methods or uses of excess energy generated by the system;
• Include recent references and sources of information;
• Address any safety issues or considerations associated with the process;
• Discuss the time-line for system construction until full operation; and
• Discuss potential applications for treated brackish groundwater (i.e., agricultural) that may not treated to drinking-water standards but that could be used to replace higher-quality water supplies thus making it available as drinking water supplies.

Some background reference materials for your use:

http://www.nrel.gov/wind/pdfs/39485.pdf

http://www.ecospheretech.com/technologies/renewable-energy-solutions

http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wo.jsp?IA=WO2007136765&wo=2007136765&DISPLAY=DESC

For More Information

Contact:
Barbara Valdez, Program Facilitator
(575) 646-7821
(800) 523-5996