HAACHThAD

70% of the world's water is unsuitable for drinking or other applications due to its harsh nature and extraction from the sea. Only 2.5% of freshwater is new and only 1% is easily accessible. Water shortages are worsening due to the growing population and climate change impacts. To prevent this crisis, desalination methods are being used to make sea water usable. However, the third world cannot afford or access these methods. Reverse osmosis, which can deliver 35-40% of salt water and 90% of brackish water, is a viable solution. Nanofiltration, which is expensive and difficult to implement in remote areas, is also expensive and difficult to install. Thermal desalination, on the other hand, is also costly. By addressing water scarcity, we can prevent a catastrophic future.

We have resorted to thermally desalinating seawater to combat this pressing issue using hydrogen combustion and aluminium hydrolysis. 

Central to our approach is using hydrogen derived from scrap aluminium hydrolysis—drawing from everyday items like aluminium foil paper, cans, and more—to power our system. This breakthrough minimises environmental impact and underscores our commitment to resourcefulness and sustainability.

What sets our system apart is its multifaceted efficiency. The meticulous filtration and controlled heating, at 102 degrees Celsius, ensure the production of distilled water vapour.

Moreover, our innovation extends to the very heart of energy conservation. The steam produced in the process is channelled through a copper pipe system. This ingeniously repurposes its heat to warm incoming seawater, drastically reducing overall energy consumption.

The apparatus uses hydrogen to run HICE (hydrogen Internal Combustion engine) to produce heat to vaporise water and torque to generate electricity. Since both the heat and the torque is utilised, there is minimal loss of energy.

This self-sustaining model not only maximises energy recapture but also yields valuable by-products like sea salt and Al(OH)3, contributing to significant cost reduction while preserving the environment. 

Moreover, its modular design ensures easy deployment in water-scarce coastal regions, offering a scalable and hassle-free solution in remote areas.

Our solution especially serves the coastal dwellers facing an imminent water crisis. As we have discussed earlier 2.2 billion people worldwide have no access to clean drinking water. The crisis is worse in the coastal areas of the third world countries. Many developed countries use expensive desalination projects. However, they are too expensive for the underdeveloped countries. 

Our project provides access to safe water at an affordable cost which is crucial for implementation in third world countries.

Our apparatus runs on hydrogen derived from hydrolysis of aluminium. This ensures a carbon-neutral production of water and electricity.

It generates electricity in addition to desalinating water. This will ensure a sustainable and eco-friendly source of electricity as well as water. 

It is designed with modularity and scalability in mind. So, it is suitable and convenient to be set up in remote locations.

In summary our project provides a sustainable and ecofriend all-rounded solution of water and electricity for both remote regions and populated cities.

Our team consists of enthusiastic and conscientious young entrepreneurs who are eager to solve problems faced by local and global communities. Hailing from a developing country we have unparalleled perspicacity regarding the crisis faced by the third world countries and their unlimited potential. Our country is on the bank of the Bay of Bengal. So, construction of the full scale prototype will be swift and seamless. Since the crisis is faced by the coastal regions of our country, the installment of the project will benefit our people first hand. Moreover, its assessment will provide realistic and insightful data regarding its impact and benefits.

Our project is still in the concept phase. Our team has been working tirelessly in research and development. We have improved the design of the apparatus via rigorous assessment. We have already made three versions and have completed the design of its latest version. The project is ready for funding for the construction of its full scale prototype.

Apart from funding, We aim to get assistance from MIT Solve regarding legal, technical and marketing issues:

1. Technical issues: We may need help to plan the construction of the apparatus, and to assess its impact. 

2. Legal issues: We may need help in legal issues while expanding overseas. For example, we may need help in terms of safety and legal requirements when setting up our plant in foreign countries. 

3. MArketing issues: We may need help to connect to local communities worldwide so that we may also reap maximum social benefit from our project.

Not being limited by boundaries, we want to outreach to every community facing water crisis. We believe we shall have MIT Solve by our side while combating the challenge. We, together, shall turn the tide against water scarcity. One drop at a time.

Numerous measures have been taken globally to tackle the safe-water crisis. Various desalination techniques are being used worldwide; however, they are not affordable and accessible for third-world countries. For instance, reverse osmosis can only make 35-40% of salt water and 90% of brackish water usable. Nanofiltration is too expensive and challenging to apply in remote areas due to its complexity and high energy consumption. The conventional thermal desalination process is unsustainable, expensive to maintain, and harmful to the environment.

A sustainable and eco-friendly alternative for water desalination is using aluminium for hydrolysis. Every day scrap aluminum items like used foil paper, cans, damaged or scraped engines, or other machinery parts are collected to obtain aluminum. This ensures the recycling of these items, which would have gone to waste or damaged the environment.

Hydrogen, obtained through aluminium hydrolysis, powers the Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (HICE). The engine's heat is used to convert water into vapour, and its mechanical power is employed to generate electricity. On average, HICE is up to 50% efficient, meaning that half of its fuel is converted into mechanical energy, while the other half is usually wasted as heat. However, our apparatus utilizes both forms of energy purposefully, resulting in minimal energy loss, high efficiency, and sustainability.

Our revolutionary solution can immediately address the pressing water crisis in coastal regions all over the world. Our cutting-edge apparatus generates electricity, which means it can be installed in remote coastal regions anywhere in the world with minimal to no electricity supply. Our innovative apparatus not only supplies water to these communities but also electricity for their homes. Our solution is the key to nurturing sustainability from the root level of their development.

Our project will unleash a wave of transformative impacts, reshaping our world for the better with unwavering certainty. It guarantees a convenient supply of safe water to over two billion people worldwide. With our solution, water-borne diseases will gradually be eliminated from the community, especially among women and children, ultimately reducing the mortality rate of the population worldwide.

Industries will thrive and advance, powered by a reliable water supply that fuels innovation and spurs economic growth. Agriculture will become a beacon of sustainability, with farmers using water resources efficiently to boost yields and ensure food security for all. 

We can determine the effectiveness of our solution through the following indicators:

1. Number of People Served: We will keep track of the number of individuals or households in coastal communities who gain access to safe drinking water through our apparatus. This metric will provide a straightforward measure of the reach of our intervention.

2. Quantity of Safe Water Produced: We will measure the volume of safe water generated from seawater by our apparatus over time. This may involve tracking daily, weekly, or monthly production rates to ensure a consistent supply of safe water to meet the needs of the community.

3. Water Quality Monitoring: We can conduct regular water quality testing to assess the safety and purity of the water produced by our apparatus. We will monitor parameters such as salinity levels, microbial contamination, chemical pollutants, and pH levels to ensure compliance with drinking water standards and guidelines.

4. Health Outcomes: We will evaluate changes in health outcomes among community members, such as reductions in waterborne diseases (e.g., diarrhoea, cholera) and improvements in overall health indicators. This could involve comparing pre-intervention and post-intervention data on disease incidence rates and healthcare utilization related to waterborne illnesses.

5. Community Feedback and Satisfaction: We will gather feedback from community members through surveys, interviews, or focus group discussions to assess their perceptions of the quality, reliability, and accessibility of the safe water provided by our apparatus. We will monitor community satisfaction levels and address any concerns or challenges identified by stakeholders.

6. Operational Efficiency: We will measure the efficiency and effectiveness of our apparatus in converting seawater into safe drinking water by tracking parameters such as energy consumption, maintenance requirements, and system reliability to optimize performance and ensure sustainable operation over time.

The core technology driving our solution for generating safe water from seawater is centred around the utilization of a hydrogen internal combustion engine. This engine operates similarly to traditional internal combustion engines found in vehicles, but it runs on hydrogen instead of petroleum-based fuels. Hydrogen, produced through the hydrolysis of aluminium collected from various aluminium scraps, serves as the primary fuel source for the engine.

The hydrolysis reaction, facilitated by mixing aluminium scraps with water in the presence of concentrated sodium hydroxide solution, releases hydrogen gas and aluminium hydroxide. This hydrogen is then collected in airtight containers and carefully stored to prevent any potential safety hazards. Once collected, the hydrogen is seamlessly integrated into the internal combustion engine, where it powers the generation of safe water from seawater.

During engine operation, the hydrogen fuel is injected into the combustion chamber, where it undergoes combustion to produce mechanical energy. This energy is harnessed to generate electricity. Additionally, the heat generated by the engine is utilized to vaporize water.

The efficiency and reliability of the hydrogen internal combustion engine are ensured through regular maintenance and performance monitoring measures, akin to those employed for conventional internal combustion engines. By leveraging this innovative technology, we aim to provide coastal communities with a sustainable and reliable source of safe drinking water, while also contributing to the responsible management of aluminium scrap resources and promoting environmental sustainability.

The project is in its concept stage, actively searching for funding. The project currently has one full-time member. And, two part-time members. We are looking forward to increasing our manpower after securing funding.

The project had its inception in February 2023. Since then it has been going through a research and development process. In the beginning two people were working on it. Now, it has reached its maturity to get funding for the construction of the prototype.

As someone who is dedicated to diversity and inclusion, I have implemented strategies to ensure that every member of my team feels valued and empowered. I actively seek out talent from diverse sources using inclusive language in my job descriptions and ensure that our interview panels reflect diversity to avoid unconscious bias.

We believe that everyone should have equal opportunities to grow and succeed, especially underrepresented groups. To achieve this, we offer transparent career pathways and mentorship programs, provide training on unconscious bias and cultural competency, celebrate diversity, and encourage open dialogue.

As a leader, I take an active role in all initiatives to emphasize the importance of diversity and inclusion at every level of the organization. Our goal is to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, and diversity is celebrated, and inclusion is the norm. This requires ongoing dedication, but the benefits of fostering a truly inclusive environment are priceless.

1. Value Proposition:

   • Provide safe, drinkable water to coastal dwellers facing water scarcity through the desalination of seawater.
   • Offer additional products such as electricity, sea salt, and aluminium hydroxide to diversify revenue streams.

2. Customer Segments:

   • Coastal communities face water scarcity, initially focusing on areas with acute water crises.
   • Industries requiring aluminium hydroxide for manufacturing aluminium ingots or fire retardants.

3. Revenue Streams:

   • Sale of desalinated water to local governments or water-distributing agencies.
   • Revenue from electricity generated during the desalination process.
   • Sale of sea salt and aluminium hydroxide to relevant industries.

4. Key Activities:

   • Desalination of seawater using hydrolysis of aluminium to produce hydrogen.
   • Production of electricity using hydrogen internal combustion engines.
   • Production and distribution of sea salt and aluminium hydroxide.

5. Key Resources:

   • Desalination plants equipped with hydrogen internal combustion engines.
   • Access to seawater sources.
   • Skilled workforce for operation and maintenance.

6. Partnerships:

   • Collaboration with local governments or water-distributing agencies for water distribution.
   • Partnerships with aluminium ingot manufacturers or fire retardant industries for the sale of aluminium hydroxide.

7. Cost Structure:

   • Operational costs for the desalination process, are estimated at 0.2 USD per 100 liters.
   • Construction and maintenance costs for desalination plants (to be determined).
   • Costs associated with electricity generation and product manufacturing.

8. Channels:

   • Distribution of desalinated water through local governments or water-distributing agencies.
   • Direct sales of sea salt and aluminium hydroxide to industrial customers.

9. Customer Relationships:

   • Establish long-term relationships with local communities and governments through reliable water supply.
   • Maintain collaborative partnerships with industrial customers for consistent product supply.

10. Key Metrics:

    • The volume of desalinated water sold.
    • Revenue generated from electricity sales and product sales.
    • Customer satisfaction and retention rates.
    • Profit margins for each revenue stream.

This business model outlines a comprehensive approach to addressing water scarcity in coastal areas while diversifying revenue streams through additional products. Continuous innovation, collaboration, and responsiveness to customer feedback will be key to the success and sustainability of the venture.

To achieve financial sustainability, our plan entails selling distilled water, electricity, aluminum hydroxide, and salt. We aim for minimal profit per liter just above the break-even point to keep prices affordable. Diversification includes bottling desalinated water for higher-priced sales to supermarkets. Initial profits will be reinvested until we can expand overseas. We'll manage financial risks with grants, saving profits for emergencies, and paying contractors based on performance. During the seed phase, no profits will be taken, and expenses will be minimized. Evidence of success will be seen in consistent growth of savings, investments, and meeting short-term financial goals.