VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI

UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

FACULTY OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHER EDUCATION

ENGLISH FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

CASE STUDY

Lecturer: Khắc Ánh Tuyết

Class: ENG2072 9
Students: Trần Thùy Anh - 22040132
Đặng Nguyễn Thu Hà - 22040165
Nguyễn Thu Hương - 21040874
Word count: 2078 words
Date of submission: 7/12/2023
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Executive summary

The World Health Organization (2019) estimates that 2.2 billion people worldwide still

lack adequate access to clean drinking water. In this scenario, Solvatten is an innovative

technology that profoundly impacts how various communities tackle water-related issues. We are

writing to propose Solvatten for The Most Influential Scientific and Technological Achievement

Proposal Award in light of its influence. Solvatten has become a game-changing safe water

treatment solution thanks to its unique design, creative use of technology, user-friendliness, and

suitability for use.

Winning this prize will expand the reach of Solvatten to more communities and regions

that are in need, especially the ethnic communities in Vietnam. Solvatten would continue the

work of improving access to clean water and sustainable solutions in other areas. The focus

would remain on making a positive impact on healthcare, improving living standards and

mitigating environmental issues. Moreover, being qualified for this Award will increase the

chance for Solvatten to collaborate with organizations and governments to scale up efforts and

create lasting changes.

Technical Description

Category of the entry: Sustainable Technology, Water & Sanitation, Solar Enterprise.

General name of the entry: Solvatten - a household solar water treatment and solar water heater

system

Designer: Petra Wadström - a renowned award-winning innovator, presented Solvatten's

transformative effects during President Obama's visit to the Royal Institute of Technology in

2013.
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Technology

Solvatten

Solvatten is a portable water purification and heating system that uses a combination of

solar thermal energy and ultraviolet (UV) radiation to kill bacteria and other pathogens in water

(Solvatten, 2022). The device consists of a durable, black plastic case that resembles a book

when opened, revealing two inner containers. These containers can be filled with untreated water

and then exposed to sunlight for disinfection and heating.

(The Sunshine Story - Solvatten, 2016)

Solvatten consists of 3 main components: a durable plastic case, fabric filters and an

indicator. The sturdy case protects the inner components from external damage and ensures the

longevity of the device. The container's black surface also absorbs the sun's heat, which warms

the water to a temperature of up to 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit) to kill most

bacteria and other pathogens.

How to use

Using Solvatten is a straightforward process. First, users would open the case and fill

both inner containers with untreated water. The filters (35-micron pore size) under the cap will
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capture larger particles, such as sediment and debris, from the source water before they enter the

disinfection and heating chambers (this is not how the water is cleaned, the filters only help to

remove large particles). Press the "sun" button to reset the indicator, and place Solvatten in direct

sunlight for approximately 2 to 6 hours. Once the indicator turns green, the water has undergone

adequate disinfection and is safe for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene.

(The Sunshine Story - Solvatten, 2016)

Maintenance of Solvatten includes regularly rinsing the prefilter to maintain its

effectiveness and cleaning the device with water when it appears dirty. It is important to avoid

scratching the transparent surface during cleaning to ensure Solvattern's clarity and functionality.

When using Solvatten, the highest quality water available is recommended to use as input. For

turbid water, users should treat it with a settling agent before using Solvatten. To ensure optimal

safety, consume treated water within 24 hours.

Operating principle

To render bacteria that cause diarrhea or other illnesses inactive, Solvatten uses a

combination of three cleaning techniques: filtration, pasteurization, and UV sterilization. The

water will be safe to drink after 2–6 hours in the sun (<1 E. coli/100 ml water), as recommended

by the WHO. A tiny, easily replaceable filter located just beneath the black cap eliminates
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particles larger than 30 micrometers and increases the clarity of the water by lowering turbidity.

The turbidity of the water can be decreased by up to 30–40% with filtering.

Pasteurization - the heating process and sterilization start after the water is added to the

container and exposed to the sun. Unlike sterilization, pasteurization breaks down bacteria cell

membranes by lessening the number of pathogens but does not eradicate all germs.

In UV sterilization, UV rays directly enter cells through their outer membrane, enter the

cell body, and damage their DNA, which stops the cell from reproducing. UV disinfection does

not remove particulates, inorganics, or dissolved organics from water. Depending on the

conditions, the pathogens can be rendered inactive in 2–6 hours by the combined action of heat

and sun radiation.

Evaluation Report

Concept and design

Solvatten is a highly innovative product that combines two essential concepts: water

purification and solar water heating. Solvatten uses solar disinfection technology - a type of

portable water purification that uses solar energy to clean contaminated water. The

UV-transparent surfaces would allow the sun's rays to pass through to heat the water. The

harmful germs become harmless due to the resultant synergy (Ahlfort, 2022). It has achieved

impressive results, with a 99.99% reduction in bacteria (Log 7 reduction), over 99.99% reduction

in cysts (Log 5 reduction), and over 99.99% reduction in viruses (Log 5 reduction). The

treatment process adheres to the US EPA Guide Standard for Water Purifiers, equivalent to the

highly protective technology guidelines set by the WHO for safe drinking water (Burleson,

2015). Also, Solvatten's black plastic container makes it easier to absorb sunlight, heating the
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water inside to temperatures up to 75°C. After purifying, water can be used for drinking,

cooking, washing, and other household purposes.

Solvatten stands out for its energy efficiency as well. It operates as a non-electrical water

heater, reaching temperatures of 55°C with each indicator switch and up to 75°C when exposed

to long periods of sunlight. The system is designed to insulate and store heated water effectively.

Its maximum captured thermal efficiency is estimated to be between 400 and 450 kWh per year,

making it an energy-efficient solution (Burleson, 2015).

The system's durability and longevity also increase thanks to its innovative design.

Constructed from resilient materials (FDA-certified and recyclable), Solvatten can withstand

harsh conditions and prolonged use, providing reliable access to clean and safe drinking water

over its lifespan (Solvatten, 2022).

Creative use of technology

A superior water purification solution

Solvatten is a water purification solution that uses a three-stage process to remove harmful

microorganisms and organic pollutants from water. Solvatten can disinfect water in 30 minutes,

much faster than traditional water filtration methods such as boiling or using chemicals. It is a

more effective and sustainable solution than other water purification products, such as LifeStraw.

LifeStraw is a popular water filter that uses a single-stage filtration process. It is effective at

removing harmful microorganisms, but less effective at removing organic pollutants. A study

published in the journal Water Research in 2016 found that LifeStraw could reduce the

concentration of the pesticide cypermethrin in water by 70% and the concentration of lead in

water by 50%. In the same study, Solvatten was found to reduce the concentration of
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cypermethrin in water by 90%.

A Sustainable Filter

Solvatten's filter cartridge can filter approximately 2,000 liters of water before it needs to

be replaced. For 12 months, the Solvatten filter cartridge can still filter 99.9% of bacteria and

viruses, including large parasites (Solvatten, 2016). With this durable filtering capability,

Solvatten can easily compete with higher-priced household water filtration products that use

coarse filters, activated carbon filters, and reverse osmosis filters. They have the ability to filter

from 1,000 to 3,000 liters of water per cartridge until there are abnormal signs such as a fishy or

strange odor in the filtered water, slower than normal water flow, or a filter cartridge clogged

with contaminants.

User-friendliness

Easy to Use

Solvatten is designed to be simple to use, even for people with limited education or

technical skills. The system consists of two main components: a solar collector and a water

reservoir. To utilize Solvatten, one must first fill the designated reservoir with contaminated

water. Subsequently, the solar collector needs to be placed over the reservoir, and the water can

be left undisturbed until the purification process is complete.

Directly affixed to the container are Solvatten's operating instructions, thereby preventing

their loss. Moreover, the instructions are designed for straightforward comprehension, rendering

them accessible even without extensive reading proficiency. The water filtration process

indicator light is designed in the shape of a sad red face when the water is still dirty and

gradually changes to a happy blue smiley face when the filtration process is completed. In
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addition, the instructions for using Solvatten have been translated into many languages, including

Vietnamese, with the aim of universalizing how to use Solvatten methodically and accurately.

Safe and effective

Solvatten is a safe and effective water purification solution. Solvatten does not need to be

connected to any outside energy that needs to be produced, such as electricity, circuits, etc., so

they are safe and do not cause technical problems such as short circuits, fires, or short circuits.

Furthermore, Solvatten utilizes all accessible energy sources, including solar energy and

natural water supplies. Solvatten just needs one-twentieth the expense to save four times as many

people as the old method of delivering clean water from afar.

Suitability for use

Solvatten is appropriate for nations with hot temperatures and lots of sunshine. The sun

has a significant impact on the productivity of Solvatten because this technology works based on

solar sterilization. Countries near the Equator, for example, receive abundant sunlight, which

allows Solvatten to absorb more UV radiation to accelerate the disinfection process and purify

more water. In other countries with cold climates, there is still enough sunlight for Solvatten to

disinfect the water, but at a slower rate.

In developing countries, the portable solar-powered water purifier Solvatten is a viable

option for water treatment. Since Solvatten does not require running water or electricity, it is

suitable for usage in rural areas with limited access to resources and infrastructure. Furthermore,

Solvatten is less expensive than other water filtration methods like reverse osmosis systems.

Compared with the method of cleaning water by heating with charcoal, a 50-Ksh pail of charcoal

in Kibera lasts for 1.5 to 2 hours, and purchasing charcoal costs about 1500 Ksh per month. The

one-time cost of Solvatten is subsidized and ranges from 1000 to 1500 Ksh, depending on the
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area. Therefore, the expense of not having to purchase charcoal or medication will quickly cover

this investment (Hagström & Lundström, 2012). Because of this, it becomes a more

cost-effective choice for citizens of developing nations.

The sustainability of Solvatten is another aspect that makes it more suitable for use.

Solvatten has a seven-to-ten-year lifespan, so its environmental effects are minimal. Compared

with bottled water, Solvatten drastically lowers the quantity of waste disposed. Besides, although

Solvatten purification takes two to six hours, the unit can be unsupervised, granting more time

for other tasks like household chores. Furthermore, after filtration, the water is already between

55 and 75 degrees Celsius, sufficient for drinking and personal hygiene. Thus, less fuel is needed

for further heating. Families who use Solvatten have also mentioned financial savings because of

the reduced need for medical treatment thanks to purified water from Solvatten (Isberg &

Nilsson, 2011).

(The Sunshine Story - Solvatten, 2016)

Specific cases

Solvatten has been serving thousands of families worldwide. Utilizing Solvatten lessens

deforestation since biomass - most commonly charcoal and firewood - is used by nearly 60% of

Kenyans. Zamzam Ahmed, a Kibera resident, stated that after using Solvatten, the cost of

charcoal has been reduced by half. She also no longer witnessed any cases of typhoid or diarrhea
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in her family thanks to Solvatten (UN Climate Change, 2016).

In Uganda, Mary Bukhaki, 67, is a widow who resides with her four grandchildren in a

rural village. Her family regularly gathers water from a river inside the Elgon National Park,

which is adjacent to her home. According to Bukhari, the river is often contaminated with dirt

from people washing in the water and animals consuming it. As a result, drinking polluted water

makes children sick frequently. However, after receiving Solvatten in December 2022, the family

reported that they found it user-friendly and that it gives them hot water for bathing, making tea,

and cleaning and children rarely get sick (Investment AB Latour, 2023).

Conclusion

In conclusion, Solvatten's nomination honors its exceptional qualities and advantages

while emphasizing its contribution to water treatment. Despite some limitations, Solvatten is a

worthy candidate for The Most Influential Scientific and Technological Achievement Proposal

Award, demonstrating its capacity to enhance lives and bring about positive change.
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References

Ahlfort, K. (2022). KTH Great Prize 2022 goes to innovator behind solar powered water purifier

| KTH. KTH.

https://www.kth.se/en/om/nyheter/centrala-nyheter/uppfinnaren-som-ger-tillgang-till-rent

-vatten-i-utsatta-omraden-1.1198786

Burleson, G. (2015, August). Solvatten Solar Safe Water System. Engineering for Change.

https://www.engineeringforchange.org/solutions/product/solar-safe-water-system/#perfor

mance_use

Hagström, E., & Lundström, H. (2012). A field study in Kenya of isolation parameters to make

water drinkable in the household water treatment unit Solvatten. Uppsala University,

Sweden.

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Investment AB Latour. (2023, June 26). Investment AB Latour on LinkedIn: Uganda - Project

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8980277745635328-xJ2P

Isberg, U., & Nilsson, K. (2011). Life Cycle Assessment and Sustainability Aspects of Solvatten,

a Water Cleaning Device.

https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:645248/FULLTEXT01.pdf.

Solvatten. (2022, May 11). What is Solvatten? - Sunshine Stories. Sunshine Stories.

https://solvatten.org/what-is-solvatten/

The Sunshine story - Solvatten. (2016, October 6). [Slide show]. PPT.

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UN Climate Change. (2016, June 28). Solvatten Solar Safe Water Heater [Video]. YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vGGx6Hljls

World Health Organization. (2019, June 18). 1 in 3 people globally do not have access to safe

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Wei, L., Wang, K., Zhao, Q., Jiang, J., Kong, X., & Lee, D. H. (2012). Fractional, biodegradable

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substances. Water Research, 46(14), 4387–4396.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2012.05.049