Solar Distiller Science Projects
A solar distiller is a simple device with a very important purpose. These devices use the sun's energy to purify water by causing water to evaporate, then condense on a glass or clear plastic plate before being collected for drinking. Solar distillers make an excellent choice for a science fair project and are easy to explain and demonstrate in an interesting way.
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Diagrams
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Produce diagrams that show how a solar distiller is constructed. Point out each of the important elements, including thermal insulation, the glass surface that traps the sun's energy and the sloped design that causes condensed water to run off into a tank or bottle for drinking. Gather photographs of solar distillers in use and show the different types of designs, including stainless steel, wooden and all glass distillers.
Make Your Own Distiller
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To show how a solar distiller can be made from common household objects, build one yourself and put it on display along with your photographs. You can make your distiller from a large pot or plastic basin. Place a glass or mug near the center of the basin and pour dirty or untreated water around it. Cover the top of the basin with clear plastic wrap and place a heavy object in the center of the wrapping to that is sloped downward directly over the mug. This will cause the water to drip off at the lowest point and, eventually, fill the mug.
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Use Your Distiller
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Place your still in a sunny location and wait for the mug to fill with distilled water. Make a note of the weather conditions and how long it takes for your still to fill the mug. Try this several times and see how much of an effect the angle of the sun or degree of cloudiness has on the rate if distilling. Note this information in your finished project.
Compare Your Water
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After you've distilled your own water, put it to the test. Use a commercial water testing system to rate your distilled water for acidity and the presence of chemicals like chlorine and bacteria. Distill water from a natural source, such as a pond, as well as your household tap, your school's drinking fountain and even rain water. Compare the water distilled from these sources to regular tap water, bottled water and water from a filtered pitcher or faucet. Create a chart of which types of water have the most or least presence of chemicals and bacteria.
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