Technical Abstract

The Solaris system is a novel, sustainable technology designed to address the global challenge of providing clean drinking water to underserved populations while reducing dependence on non-renewable energy resources. The system harnesses solar energy to generate hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a powerful oxidizing agent, which is then used for water purification. Solaris is cost-effective, easy to implement, and marketable to a variety of industries and users.

How Solaris Works

The Solaris system consists of three primary components:

A photovoltaic solar panel array for capturing and converting sunlight into electrical energy.

An electrolyzer that uses the electrical energy to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, and combines the hydrogen with additional oxygen to form hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

A water purification chamber where the produced H2O2 is mixed with contaminated water, effectively neutralizing harmful pathogens, bacteria, and viruses present in the water.

The solar panel array captures sunlight and converts it into electricity, which is stored in a battery system. This electricity is then used to power the electrolyzer. The electrolyzer utilizes a proton-exchange membrane (PEM) to separate water molecules (H2O) into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2). The hydrogen and oxygen are then recombined in a controlled manner to produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

The produced H2O2 is then introduced into the water purification chamber, where it comes into contact with contaminated water. The H2O2 reacts with various contaminants in the water, oxidizing and neutralizing them, resulting in clean, potable water. The residual hydrogen peroxide decomposes into water and oxygen, leaving no harmful byproducts.

Innovation

Solaris represents a significant advance over the current state of the art in water purification technology. Unlike traditional methods that rely on chemicals (e.g., chlorine) or energy-intensive processes (e.g., reverse osmosis), Solaris employs solar energy to generate hydrogen peroxide, a powerful and environmentally friendly oxidizing agent. This approach eliminates the need for external chemical inputs and reduces the system's overall energy requirements, making it a sustainable and eco-friendly solution.

Feasibility/Manufacturability

Solaris is designed to be easily implemented and cost-effectively manufactured, using widely available components and materials. The photovoltaic solar panels, battery system, and electrolyzer can all be sourced from existing suppliers. The system can be scaled to meet the needs of various applications, from individual households to larger communities. The fact that Solaris does not require a continuous supply of chemicals or a complex infrastructure further enhances its ease of implementation in remote or resource-limited areas.

Marketability

The Solaris system has a wide range of practical applications, with a well-defined market for its use. It can be deployed in rural and remote areas where access to clean water is limited, disaster-stricken regions where infrastructure has been compromised, or developing countries where waterborne diseases are prevalent. Additionally, Solaris can be adapted for use in other industries, such as agriculture, aquaculture, and the food and beverage sector, where clean water is essential for safe and sustainable operations.