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THE WATERCONE® DESALINATION SYSTEM is non-toxic, non-flammable and 100-per- cent recyclable. The black pan for the salt water is made out of 100-per-cent recyclable polycarbonate. Even when the Watercone® becomes old and tarnished, it can still be used to collect rain water, as a roof panel or as a container for other goods. Another environmental impact is the fact that solar energy is used instead of gas, oil or electricity to desalinate seawater. In many countries, poor people heat dirty water by burning the last remaining wood and therefore they promote desertification. dramatically improved quality of life starting with as few as a dozen Watercones set up close by the sea. 4. Perfect for medical purposes. There are thousands of hospitals, field and mobile hospitals, first aid and emergency medical units that are located in sunny climates and lack condensed water. Outfitted with just a dozen Watercones, a little field hospital could harvest 15 litres of condensed water per day—enough to make a difference between life or death. 5. Creates jobs. For centuries, water vendors have walked the markets and villages of Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Based in the vicinity of salt or brackish water and outfitted with a minor credit line, these vendors could invest in a dozen Watercones and sell 15 litres of water a day. Their investment would be returned in no more than half a year. oo The Product r “Nhis product enables anyone to have an independent as well as a simple, cheap and mobile solar system for potable water generation from sea water or brackish water on the basis of condensation by a solar still. This invention comprises a conical, self- supporting and stackable unit made from transparent thermoformable polycarbonate (the same as water dispensers), outfitted with a screwcap spout at the tip and an inward circular collecting trough at the base. Technically speaking, it is a solar still. ee ad ao ors TRAE Unt nena weny cee treet net e cee inward circular collecting trough at the base. Reasons for Global Distribution Based in the vicinity of salt or brackish Technically speaking, it is a solar still. 1. Much cheaper than bottled water. —_ water and outfitted with a minor credit line, The Watercone's life expectancy is 3-5 these vendors could invest in a dozen Function years, and the price is planned to be below —_ Watercones and sell 15 litres of water a day. 1. Pour salty/brackish water into the pan, €100. The average price of one litre of | Their investment would be returned in no then float the Watercone® on top. The _ bottled water in developing countries is _ more than half a year. oo black pan absorbs the sunlight and heats up US$0.50. Presuming a daily usage of the the water to support evaporation. Watercone and a daily average yield of one Further Information: 2. The evaporated water condenses in the _ litre, the Watercone pays for itself in a little The Watercone® is the national winner form of droplets on the inner wall of the — more than half a year! of the Energy Globe Award 2007 for a cone. These droplets trickle down the inner 2. Low-technology concept. As _ pilot project in Yemen. Patented by wall into a circular trough at the inner base opposed to other types of solar stills which | Augustin Produktentwicklung (Tengstasse of the cone. feature electronics, photovoltaic cells, tubes, 45, D-80796 Munich, Germany, 3. By unscrewing the cap at the tip of the _ filters, multiple parts, etc., the Watercone telephone +49 [0]89 2730690), it is cone and turning the cone upside down, one concept can be understood within seconds. going into mass production and can empty the potable water gathered in the Additionally, the cone and pan are made distribution in 2008 (single units are not trough directly into a drinking device. from Bayer Makrolon®, a high-tech, ultra- yet available). rugged and highly recyclable polycarbonate For more information, visit the website Technical Information that is resistant to breakage—an all-too- _http://www.watercone.com, or emai The Watercone® system is a one-step common result of rough transportation. Stephan@Augustin.net. water condensation process with a 40 per 3. Perfect for cent effectiveness level (GTZ Germany). coastal dwellers. Based on an evaporation level of 8.8 litres There are at least 50 per square metre (average solar irradiation developing countries in Casablanca, Morocco), the Watercone with a significant (with base diameter of 60-80 cm and amount of coastline height of 30-50 cm) yields 1.0-1.7 litres of and plenty of condensed water per day. sunshine. Millions Based on this concept, the cone does __ of people in these indeed apply innovative solutions toa countries live close problem which has been a curse to to water but cannot mankind for millennia: turning salt water drink it or use it for into potable water in an uncomplicated, agriculture because cheap and swift manner. it is salt water. The Watercone is a long-lasting, UV- Large _ families, resistant polycarbonate product and can be _ hamlets and villages used daily for up to five years. The material could all experience The Watercone® Further Information: The Watercone® is the national winner of the Energy Globe Award 2007 for a pilot project in Yemen. Patented by Augustin Produktentwicklung (Tengstasse 45, D-80796 Munich, Germany, telephone +49 [0]89 2730690), it is going into mass production and distribution in 2008 (single units are not yet available). For more information, visit the website http://www. watercone.com, or email Stephan@Augustin.net. Technical Information The Watercone® system is a one-step water condensation process with a 40 per cent effectiveness level (GTZ Germany). Based on an evaporation level of 8.8 litres per square metre (average solar irradiation in Casablanca, Morocco), the Watercone (with base diameter of 60-80 cm and height of 30-50 cm) yields 1.0-1.7 litres of condensed water per day. Based on this concept, the cone does indeed apply innovative solutions to a problem which has been a curse to mankind for millennia: turning salt water into potable water in an uncomplicated, cheap and swift manner. The Watercone is a long-lasting, UV- resistant polycarbonate product and can be used daily for up to five years. The material The Watercone® JUNE — JULY 2008 NEXUS = 51 www.nexusmagazine.com