Bicycle Powered Water Pump and Sand Filter

Speciliazed Innovate or Die competition entry: bicycle powered water pump and slow sand filter for use in rural settings in third-world, developing countries.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Specialized
• Innovateordie
• bicycle
• waterpump
• sandfilter

[BillOReillySux]

Nicely done there Emily.

I like the idea of utilizing a bicycle, but how about using a 'stairmaster' mechanism (as simple levers), instead? That might be a simpler mechanical solution, eh?

Keep up the good work!

[only512]

While that might be a simpler solution, the contest for Specialized required the use of pedal power. And, I think it might be easier to come up with a bicycle set up in a third world country than a stair master. I could be wrong though. My purpose for the bike was to use something that could be fairly easy to come by and fix if there were ever any problems. At least with a bike, the owner might have some clue on how to work on the bike without making up a completely new mechanism.

[Leetah36]

pretty brilliant...using good bacteria to eat bad bacteria-! Never would've thought of that...

[only512]

It is a good idea, but I definitely can't take credit for it. There is lots of information and research out there for the implementation of slow sand filters.

[techintoledo]

Great idea but does it clean out bacteria?

[only512]

On top of the sand, a layer called "schmutzedecke" (German for "dirty skin") eventually forms. It's basically the good bacteria eating all the bad bacteria. It has to be skimmed off and started over periodically. As the water travels down, the bacteria is the biological cleaning agent, and the sand is the physical agent that traps particles.

[thegoodlifefarm]

Any interest in submitting a video that details the construction? Looks like a good concept, perhaps you could elaborate on how the pump functions and what is involved in the filtration system.

Thanks

[royce2u]

Most of the clips dont explain that a correctly built bio-sand filter does far more than filter the dirt. It functions by creating a culture of good bacteria that feeds on the infectious bacteria. It takes two to three weeks for this predatory culture to become effective.

[happinesson]

Nice presentation for a work of a genius! Nice invention.

[lateraldeano]

drink the water love. DRINK IT!

[aaronpetersutherland]

Using a bicycle lets you draw water from further away. If it gets hard to pump, you can shift the gear ratio. Nicely done. Cost effective, easy to produce and ecologically sound.

Nice presentation as well. You're photogenic.

[jonboda]

minta!

[zekehooper]

she's cute. good idea.

[PrestoWind]

Great job Emily.

[2skullscrushing]

The blue barrels arent safe for water. you have to use white. other wise its great.

[dadigitechman]

Nice lathe!

[gelflingfaysuzanne]

i totally love this this is great! i want you to make me one! and you get great exercise!

[gelflingfaysuzanne]

i totally love this this is great! i want you to make me one!