Pasteurization of naturally contaminated water with solar energy

Journal Article · Wed Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6709903

Ciochetti, D A; Metcalf, R H

A solar box cooker (SBC) was constructed with a cooking area deep enough to hold several 3.7-liter jugs of water, and this was used to investigate the potential of using solar energy to pasteurize naturally contaminated water. When river water was heated either in the SBC or on a hot plate, coliform bacteria were inactivated at temperatures of 60/sup 0/C or greater. Heating water in an SBC to at least 65/sup 0/C ensures that the water will be above the milk pasteurization temperature of 62.8/sup 0/C for at least an hour, which appears sufficient to pasteurize contaminated water. On clear or partly cloudy days, with the SBC facing magnetic south in Sacramento, bottom water temperatures of at least 65/sup 0/C could be obtained in 11.1 liters of water during the 6 weeks on either side of the summer solstice, in 7.4 liters of water from mid-March through mid-September, and in 3.7 liters of water an additional 2 to 3 weeks at the beginning and end of the solar season. Periodic repositioning of the SBC towards the sun, adjusting the back reflective lid, and preheating water in a simple reflective device increased final water temperatures. Simultaneous cooking and heating water to pasteurizing temperatures was possible. Additional uses of the SBC to pasteurize soil and to decontaminate hospital materials before disposal in remote areas are suggested. 14 references.

• Research Organization: California State Univ., Sacramento
• OSTI ID: 6709903
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 47:2; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140909* -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Miscellaneous Solar Applications-- (1980-)
CLEANING
COLIFORMS
DECONTAMINATION
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INACTIVATION
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PASTEURIZATION
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SOLAR COOKERS
SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
USES
WATER