College - Author 1
College of Engineering
Department - Author 1
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Mechanical Engineering
College - Author 2
College of Engineering
Department - Author 2
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 2
BS in Mechanical Engineering
College - Author 3
College of Engineering
Department - Author 3
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 3
BS in Mechanical Engineering
College - Author 4
College of Engineering
Department - Author 4
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree - Author 4
BS in Mechanical Engineering
Date
6-2022
Primary Advisor
Peter Schuster, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Department
Additional Advisors
Sarah Harding, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Department
Abstract/Summary
Our team of Cal Poly Mechanical Engineers ideated, designed, built, and tested a system to help combat the growing problem of widespread drought in coastal and island communities. We developed a proof-of-concept model of a wave powered, mechanical system to desalinate ocean water using a reverse osmosis process. From topical research, it was found that there are many ways to harness a portion of the huge amount of energy that the ocean provides. While large scale ocean water desalination plants are already in operation, smaller scale desalination units powered by ocean waves are largely underdeveloped. Our relatively small and inexpensive system proved to be effective in many aspects of our testing process, confirming the feasibility of our design concept as we exceeded a flowrate of 1 gallon per hour of desalinated water during ocean testing. In an era where global access to clean drinking water is a huge issue that has been unresolved for decades, this system may be able to make an impact in small coastal communities everywhere around the world.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/mesp/647