H2O Optima solar water purification unit

The H2O Optima solar-powered water purification unit provides treatment and purification to potable water for human consumption, emergency or agricultural use. It is designed to treat brackish water or seawater without the need for an external energy source, as the process is powered by solar panels. There is also the capacity to link the unit to a generator or mains power source so round-the-clock operation, complementary to the solar energy input, is also available.

The unit removes contaminants including salts, viruses and bacteria using reverse osmosis membranes, plus a chlorination system that is also solar powered. The daily output rate depends on the water being treated; up to 1700 L per day for brackish water and 500 L for seawater.

The portable unit is carried in a box container measuring 1.5 x 1 x 0.9 m and weighing 545 kg. The box is able to be enclosed in a skid frame for easy movement or relocation. The three 250 W capacity solar panels which power the unit simply fold up into the container for transportation or storage and unfold to lock into position, ready for operation.

The unit is fully automatic and maintenance-free, save for a regular wipe down of the solar panels to remove any dust and the replacement of the post-treatment 25 micron filter cartridges. There are no moving parts within the unit, which will start treatment and production whenever the solar radiation is powerful enough. It will operate until either solar radiation is no longer powerful enough or post-treatment storage tanks are filled.

The water is automatically chlorinated, so water outgoing from the unit will remain potable for some days. The chlorine is made from the salts present in the water by an electrolytic process without the need for consumables. The membranes used are automatically washed every time the unit is in use and a final automatic washing takes place at the end of each day so the unit is ready for use the next day.