solar distillers

[technosaurus]

I was checking out Barry's blog and his solar still project reminded me that I once made a solar still using a couple of old chip/crisp bags (the inside is reflective) a black garbage bag (dirty water side) and duct tape (rolled into hose).

It occurred to me that if done properly, my old hack could be turned into a pocketable, inflatable solar still that costs less than $1 to make.

supplies

1 sheet of mylar (reflectors)
1 Large ziploc bag
plastic sheeting
a small black towel
fishing line

Tools
1 bag sealer

Basic instructions:

Use the bag sealer to attach 1-4 strips of refective mylar to the sides of the ziploc bag (2 seems optimal unless you're near the equator) The ziploc bag will be our evaporator.
Seam a narrow strip of black plastic sheeting to a hole on the top of the evaporator to create a hot riser tube that flows into a condenser.
Seam the condenser from white plastic to minimize solar absorption - perhaps add some aluminum foil for better heat exchange. It should have a zigzaggy path down the condenser to allow more opportunity to cool down and condense down into a funnel shape.
Seam the mylar reflectors and condenser at the top like a curtain so you have a way to hang it for optimal sun - make it at least large enough that you can fit tent poles+paracord through it
Seam some black plastic into the bottom of the ziploc bag to help absorb sunlight - a soaked black towel should work too.
For better results you can attempt to use your seamer to create one-way tesla valves (my dexterity isn't that good) that will allow vapor through but minimize liquid - probably one set near the ziploc bag and one near the condenser.
Additionally, you could seam in inflatable parts to keep the flow open and floating out of the dirty water - the condenser could even double as a sleeping mat then.

Use

Fill the ziploc bag with wet stuff
Hang the mylar to maximize sunlight on the evaporator.
Hang the condenser in the shade where it will get the most wind or you can use a piece of cloth soaked in non-potable water to help cool it down.
Once the funnel area fills up, empty it into your drinking container.

Or fill it with your latest brew of mash and make "sunshine"

[technosaurus]

Note: if you can prefilter fresh water, you can probably also use this to sanitize it with UV and heat to a great extent without losing all the minerals in a much shorter time.

You can make your own filter using a plastic bottle, cloth, charcoal, sand and rocks.

Is anyone interested in premade portable versions of these?
My son's scout troop wants a bunch for their emergency kits.
I keep meaning to do some YouTube videos, maybe this is a good first.

[BarryK]

A water distiller for a dollar sounds good! I am having trouble visualising how it goes together from the description, so a youtube video would be great.