DIY Solar Water Distiller! - Simple Solar Water Distilling - Easy DIY (for Survival/SHTF)

in this instructable i show how to make a simple solar water distiller just using bottles.

Step 1: Watch the Instructional Video...

Step 2: Read the Description...

DIY Solar Water Distilling! Simple Solar Water Distiller! Easy DIY. Great for survival/SHTF situations. made using 2 clear (plastic or glass) bottles and glue (or tape). fill one bottle with dirty/or saltwater. then connect the second bottle and set in the sun. within a few minutes the water begins to evaporate and the other bottle collects the clean distilled water vapor. tips: make sure the bottles have an airtight connection. prop up bottles at a slight angle so as the dirty/or saltwater starts to evaporate - the max. amount of water vapor will travel up to the higher collection container. works best in bright sun.

Step 3: First: Gather the Items...

1.) 2 clear plastic or glass bottles

2.) glue (or tape)

Step 4: Drill a Hole in Each Cap...

start by drilling a hole in each cap. i used a 1" hole saw to drill the lids

Step 5: Then Glue the Lids Together

i used super glue (but you can use tape)

Step 6: Now Add the Dirty or Saltwater

finally, add the dirty or salty water you want to clean, screw the lids on, and prop it up at an angle in the sun

Step 7: Here Are Some Close Ups...

after a few minutes, water droplets will form in the collection container. that's clean fresh distilled water!

Step 8: Have Fun Building and Using It!

Comments

[ronanry]

Driling a hole in the lower part of the higher bottle can make the water flow directly in another one.... But i'm asking :will it have impact in the vapor process too ? (adding cooler air will make the system faster.... But how many vapor May flow by this hole ?)

[geminishadow]

I think yes.

[jimmcneil2]

ok i have to ask, does it work with piss?

if you put a small hole in the bottom of the top bottle will it drain into a cup?

[geminishadow]

Great question. Too bad there hasn’t been any reply. My guess is yes, it would have to work. Wouldn’t it? Maybe “centrifuge” it first to remove any solids. With some urine in each, attach two bottles, neck to neck, to a “cardboard” disk or something (so the bottoms of bottles are facing outwards) -thread a double “string” through a center hole, to pull-twist-untwist-pull-twist-untwist and so on? Or maybe that would be an unnecessary step.

[ulfilas]

Hmm. Survival? So I'm unlikely to have access to a drill and superglue. We need an option to do this from found bottles (maybe washed up on a beach) and a way to attach the bottles together using rudimentary tools. Anyone got suggestions?

[JesúsJ17]

Remove the caps and just use duct tape to join the bottles.

[desertsun02]

hi there. one possible way to cut a hole in the lid (assuming it is plastic) could be to use a heated knife. if you had a small pocket knife you could heat the blade in a fire and that could allow you to cut the hole in the lid. as far as connecting the two lids... maybe use some kind of sticky tree sap to temporarily connect the lids to one another? or there might be a way to melt the lids together?

[OnceADrog]

You can melt most plastic at around 90deg C. So you could weld the lids together easy enough.

[imperf3kt]

standard PET water bottles release toxic carcinogens when heated.
I would not use plastic, but glass instead.

[michael s]

I would add to deanes, paint the dirty water bottle black. I would further shield the clean water bottle from the Sun.

You could pre-paint the bottles and add them to your stash of already clean water bottles.

[deanes]

Nice, simple idea. - Note the black table to generate more heat and the top bottles placed over white bricks for cooling. So add any gentle heat source to the bottom bottles and cooling (maybe cover with wet rag) to the top ones, greatly speeds up the the distilling process. I think I will make up 2-3 generic water bottle cap units and and keep them in my pack. Usually can take or find bottles.

[Turnpike7a]

why not use a straw in the middle? works in the chemistry lab

[JJF8]

you
could take it a step further . have it hinging in the middle . so when
the clean water starts to fill up , the weight will slowly pull it down
and youll know its done when the bottle has fully tilted . you would
need to test to see the amount needed so when it tilts the dirty water
does not flow over . you could put little flags on the bottle so you
know when its done .

[nc_notary]

Brilliant! Inexpensive and useful in any water emergency. Thank you!

[elpayo]

You are a Genius...

Nice and easy