 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQs - EWR mobile solar-powered water filtration systems
-
What are the primary differences between EWR's emergency water filtration systems and other systems currently available on the market?
EWR uses only the finest components with few plastic tubes or tanks, which means EWR's system is low maintenance, rugged and easy to use in the field. EWR's system solution optimizes power captured by solar panels to deliver more water with less sunlight. Our system can be operated with little training. Set-up time can be less than two hours.
-
What are the differences between the EWR solution and reverse osmosis (RO) and ultra violet (UV) purification solutions?
The EWR solution purifies 100% of the water it processes and does not use a reverse
 osmosis technique which produces troublesome amounts of waste water and waste solids in the treatment process. As an extra layer of redundancy, the EWR solution uses UV light as another disinfecting method to remove harmful bacteria or pathogens in the water.
-
Why is EWR's system considered a "green" solution with low environmental impact?
The primary source of power is renewable solar energy. There are not harmful or hazardous chemicals involved in EWR's filtration process. When the absorption materials have been exhausted and need to be changed, the spent materials are safe enough to discharge in a regular landfill without special handling.
-
Does the EWR system have a low carbon footprint when compared with other solutions?
Our robust system eliminates the need for constant shipments and deliveries of consumable cartridge filters every few weeks. This eliminates the need to manufacture, pack, ship, drive and burn hydrocarbons to deliver such never-ending supplies. All of those exhausted cartridge filters need to be disposed of as well. The least amount of waste involved in any product is a good thing and better for the Earth. EWR's design is so well engineered that it does not require home system-based disposable cartridge filters. Our extensive experience in the field has helped us understand the water purification needs in the world's most remote and harshest of environments. In times of international crisis, a frequent solution to a clean water shortage is to air freight thousands of gallons of bottled water to affected areas of need. The estimated fully burdened costs exceed $400,000 per planeload and this does not include the significant carbon footprint generated to load a C17 cargo plane with bottled water, pay for the pilot, loadmaster, crew and fuel costs, on the way to your destination with a maximum of 19,161 gallons of water on board. The amount of trash from all of those consumed plastic bottles cannot be ignored either. An EWR system on the ground – in that very same location – can generate 25,000 gallons of fresh drinking water EVERY DAY with no need for constant C17 cargo plane trips or massive piles of plastic bottles left littering the landscape.
-
Which types of pollutants does the EWR mobile solar-powered water filtration system filter?
The unit is capable of producing drinking water free of physical and bacterial contaminants. The unit, however, will not take care of industrial contamination, such as hydrocarbons, chemical waste, etc.
-
What are the pumping and purification capabilities of the EWR mobile solar-powered water filtration system units?
The units are engineered and capable of safely producing 25,000 gallons per day of fresh, potable drinking water with any combination of solar, generator or existing municipal water pressure. See technical details on the Systems page.
-
What does "stand-by partner" mean?
EWR has a unique way of working with and enabling our partner/clients in their rescue and relief missions. Our economic and operational model takes the variability and stress out of capital-constrained NGO and non-profit budgets, and assures that the equipment you need to provide emergency water relief is available when and where you need it. Please contact us for more information on how we can best support your mission.
-
What pre-deployment site preparations are required prior to operating the EWR mobile solar-powered water filtration system?
Site preparation is simple with EWR. All the system requires is a level area to place the unit. The level space should have good site lines to the sun as it travels through the sky during the day, and a water source within 60 feet (30 meters) nearby.
-
How are the EWR systems transported from location to location? Both units are forklift ready and have helicopter lift points. The mobile unit can be placed on a trailer or truck bed for easy transport.
-
What are the weight and dimensions of the EWR solar-powered water filtration system in the shipping mode and in operational mode?
Our skid-mounted mobile unit weighs 2,250 lbs and is 8'L x 4'W x 6'H (2.5m x 1.2m x 1.8m). The Tricon container unit weighs 5,200 lbs and is housed in a secure 8'L x 6.5'W x 8'H (2.5m x 1.2m x 2.5m) shipping container.
-
What maintenance is necessary for optimal operation of the EWR solar-powered water filtration system?
The user can monitor the pressure gauges on the unit to determine if any backwashing may be required. UV lamps should be replaced yearly, and solar panels should be kept as clean as possible.
-
What are typical annual maintenance costs?
UV lamps should be replaced yearly and absorption materials every 3-5 years. Amortized over a yearly basis makes it less than 1% of system cost.
-
What types of filters does the EWR mobile solar-powered water filtration system use?
Non-hazardous absorption materials and bacteriological filters.
-
How often do filters have to be changed?
The absorption media are long-lasting and can be backwashed to remove particulates when necessary. Depending upon the water quality, absorption materials can last from 3-5 years before needing replaced. The bacterial filter cartridges can be easily cleaned in the field by pressure steam cleaning or cleaning with a chlorine solution.
-
Is there a battery system in the EWR mobile solar-powered water filtration system?
The filtration unit uses one 12-volt,
 maintenance-free, sealed gel battery.
-
How long will the battery last?
The battery is only used to power the UV filtration lights. While battery life will depend on various environmental and use factors, a typical battery will last around 5 years if properly charged and cared for.
-
Does the solar array have to be constantly angled toward the sun?
For locations north of the equator, the solar panels should be angled toward the south. For locations south of the equator, the solar panels should be angled toward the north. No solar tracking devices are necessary. As an option, EWR's system can be configured with automatic solar tracking. EWR recommends that manually adjusting the panels is the most practical method for sun tracking when in the field.
-
Is the material on the solar panels breakable?
The solar panels are manufactured to withstand certain amounts of normal environmental conditions. If the glass breaks on any solar panel it will reduce the overall efficiency of that panel, which could affect the overall efficiency of the system. We recommend that if any of the panels are broken that they be replaced as soon as possible.
-
What type of maintenance do the panels require?
The solar panels should be kept clean from dirt and debris as much as possible in order to obtain the most efficiency from the panels.
-
Does the EWR mobile solar-powered water filtration system perform on cloudy/overcast days?
Yes, even on cloudy/overcast days the solar panels will still generate enough electricity to run the system. Depending on the amount of sunlight the amount of water flow may be reduced, but the system will still operate in limited light conditions.
-
Does one need to be concerned about salts, PPM and/or TDS when purifying water near an ocean?
Some areas may have a higher-than-normal amount of brackish or salt in the water supply. The EWR water filtration units are designed to purify non-fresh water and are not recommended for brackish or salt water purification. EWR can custom design a brackish or sea water purification system depending on the TDS (total dissolve liquids), PPM (parts per million) chemistry of your water supply. Contact us for more details on these customized purification systems.
-
Are there any environmental conditions that would prohibit operation of the EWR system?
Extremely windy conditions may require the stowing of the solar panels,
but if you have an alternate energy source, such as a generator, you could still produce clean water. All electronics are housed within NEMA enclosures to protect against excessive moisture. The solar panels are manufactured to withstand certain amounts of normal environmental conditions. If the glass breaks on the solar panel, it may reduce the overall efficiency of that system.
-
Does the end user need to purchase anything else in order to make the EWR mobile solar-powered water filtration system operational?
No. The unit comes with everything needed to begin operating immediately. A small toolkit, spare UV bulbs and miscellaneous spare parts are shipped with each unit.
-
What is the warranty for the EWR mobile solar-powered water filtration system and individual components?
EWR warrants that its products are free from defects in workmanship and materials for a period of one (1) year.
-
How deep of a source can the EWR solution pump water from, and how much elevation can it pump the water to?
EWR can pump water from as deep as 75 feet, and can pump clean water to an elevation of 40 feet.
-
Can EWR's systems be used as a longer-term solution for providing drinking water in remote locations?
EWR can be a reliable and low-cost, long-term solution to providing drinking water for up to 5,000 people per day, per system. EWR systems excel in remote and off-grid locations where our rugged design, low-maintenance requirements and ease of operations make application optimal. Please contact us to discuss your specific needs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|