Dragons Den (yet again)

At first glance the water filter thing looked good, but no one questioned the social impact it could have. If 100 people have this device that can carry 50 litres how will those who don't have one react to it? Remember the water shortage in this country? People were standing in line with one bucket and then someone would turn up in 4 x 4 with a dozen. The police had to be called to restore order. What would happen in Africa where there is limited water supply?Have the designers of the product consulted with the aid agencies to endorse the product?It may not be automatic for the reasons i've given.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

I am no expert but I guess the African villagers that this aimed at are not as greedy and grabbing as we are,and they would share it amongst the village?

 

[Rob-Fisher]

Earl you ol' muppet.... what can I say - that is just pure GENIUS!

I second that notion! Quality!

 

[innovator]

I am trained in product design from loughborough uni and spent 3 summers in mozambique. It will look very different when finally launched i'm sure. There are some good parts of it but the following needs considering:

Wheel would only work on nice smooth surface not flooded area, rocky terrain etc.
It is totally unrepairable using local resources.
How do you educate the people about using it?

Unfortunately in my experience the poorer people are more greedy and grabbing than the rich. When you are desperate there is little you won't do!

 

[Identernet]

I think the whole thing was over simplified. Reverse osmosis is not the panacea you may believe from watching Dragons Den. I used to work in the desalination industry for a number of years and it appears to me they ommited to mention a few problems.
1. Prefiltration of the water to be purified. reverse osmosis membranes are not filters as such.
2. Activated carbon filters to extract organic chemicals that may attack the membranes.
3. Treatment of the purified water. Some bacteria can still pass the membranes.
4. Cleaning scale from the membranes. The membranes have to be cleaned on a regular basis.
Unless reverse osmosis technology has made massive advances recently then I think these problems will still exist.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

I hope they have not waited for two years to get their water.

 

[garyk]

3 years van not 2!

another old threadurection!