Gray-B-Gon wind-powered evapotron for graywater disposal

Step 31 On playa: install the water filter

The five-gallon plastic bucket with holes will house the water filter. Set the bucket on the fabric scrap, which protects the plastic sheet. To tether the bucket against wind, pass twine through both halfway-up holes and anchor the ends to one corner staple and one side staple.

Examine the panty-hose for holes, and tie a knot above any holes in the legs or feet. Turn the panty-hose inside out. (You may find, as I do, that looking down at the inside of panty-hose is disturbing. It's surprising what a difference reversing it makes.)

Stretch the waist over the bucket rim, and tie it in place with twine. A good knot to use is the  lark's head noose ( http://www.instructables.com/id/Larks-head-noose-an-easy-useful-knot-that-tig/ ) It requires about 8 ft of twine. Be sure to "lock" it by adding a shoelace knot. If you need to adjust or replace the panty-hose, pull out the shoelace knot and slide the lark's head sideways to loosen it.

A sand filter is often used when processing graywater for reuse.  We just want to get rid of it, starting by removing the chunks.  A fine mesh filter does this well -- playa dust doesn't clog it, and it's much easier to transport.

Comments

[strad27]

Since the propeller apparatus is fixed in place, when the winds shift, what is the effect? Do you rotate the entire unit, or did you find that unnecessary? We're very interested in adding this type of wind-driven movement to our existing pond to speed the process up from last year. Also, in light of 2008 dust storms, did you find any problems with sediment build-up? Last year we had plexi walls which helped, but we would lose those if we followed your plan.

[Larry Breed]

Almost invariably, playa winds blow NE or SW -- down or up the valley between the Granite and Selenite ranges. The device works no matter which way the propeller spins. I've discovered that unlike all other evaporative techniques I've tried, the Gray-B-Gon is practically immune to playa dust. Rather than having water and dust dry in place, the drum rotating through the pond washes the mesh clean. The "pond" does receive playa dust, but the pond's relatively undisturbed so dust settles to the bottom. At the end of the week there's typically an eighth to a quarter of an inch of dried mud on the plastic liner.