Solar Water Heater

Solar water heaters are a great idea!  Let’s get this to work!  Here’s how it ‘should’ work.

Wiring

Sometimes wiring can get complicated!  Labeling is key.

Solar Installation

Here is the back of the solar panel.  We are on our way!

There are nine panels arranged (wired) in three sets of three panels; each individual set is wired in series, and the three sets are wired in parallel to each other.

When you wire in series, voltage adds; when you wire in parallel voltage does NOT add (amperage adds which allows for more loads on the system because there is more ‘volume’ of electricity).

Each individual set of three will have an output of approximately 85 Volts of Direct Current (VDC), ±20%. This results in a range of output from 68 – 102VDC (this means individual panels are 22 – 34VDC) . Output will depend on sun and weather conditions. The three sets in parallel will also have the same voltage output, since they are in parallel (but the three sets allow for enough amperage supply required).

Arriving at IPI, Meru Kenya

We have arrived at International Peace Initiatives (IPI) in Meru, Kenya.  Here is the dormitory where the solar panels have been installed.  Now to start with the wiring.

Making Dye

Cottage-scale industry makes very concentrated dye baths because they mix their washing right in there so the silk yarn does not absorb as much dye through the solution.  This is cheaper and better for them, but produces darker wastewater which has a larger impact on the environment.  Since I am working at a medium-scale industry we have to reproduce the dye bath.  Here is Babu measuring out the dye, Narasimhamurty cutting the soap, and Narayanaswamy dissolving the soda– all to be mixed together in 50 liters of water– I’ve also tried 100 liters and it seems to work the same.

Filter everything through sand

 

The sand is still leaving some residue, but it’s looking good.  There is currently a lot of sludge that is tainting the sand for future use, so we have started using cotton fabric as a primary filter.  Here you can see the before and after.  It’s not perfect, but much better than before!

Hydrogen Peroxide Added, Mixed, Left to React

 

The Hydrogen Peroxide has been added and mixed around.  Now just to wait, let everything settle and float out of solution and then it will be filtered through the sand.

So Much Dye!

 

So I’ve been placed at a medium-sized textile dyer because there is space and no language barrier.  Their wastewater is treated to allowable effluent limits.  Although I have tried my project’s technology on their wastewater, it is not much needed.  Since this is the case, they are helping me replicate the wastewater that cottage-scale textile dyers in rural areas dump.

Cleaning Sand

 

There are 2 types of sand available– the one on the left is River Sand, and the right is Ocean Beach Sand.  I bought the ocean sand at a construction materials market called Bamboo Market (because they use bamboo as scaffolding).  I made 2 sand filters so we decided to keep them separate.

 

Babu is helping me here get the metal box ready for the 1st trial.