Cost efficient steam catching setup to serve as water source 1

[thdm]

Hello everyone!

A few months ago I visited a village in Kenya where the local people had recently discovered that they could capture steam coming out of the ground and use it as a water source. However, their setup was really simple, just some PVC pipes trying to capture as much steam as possible and direct it into a water container, with a lot of steam still getting lost and thus very inefficient/long process.
I was wondering how we could design a setup that is really low cost (like some simple PVC pipes) but able to capture as much steam as possible (highly efficient).
What are your suggestions? Feel free to share your thoughts!

Thanks in advance for your help, let's hope we find a solution we can put into practice!

 

[EdStainless]

Use something easy like tarps to build a hood for better capture.
Then build a tin box. Use old metal roofing (with no Zn left on it).
Bring the PVC pipe in near the top and have a drain in bottom.
Having a large box will keep it from getting hot from the steam and should get more condensation.
The only real risk in this operation is how much H2S is in the steam?

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P.E. Metallurgy, consulting work welcomed

 

[1503-44]

It is essential to know what you might be dealing with. Studies have found that geothermal water may contain toxic elements such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, selenium, and mercury [12,13,14], and radioactive elements such as uranium (U), thorium (Th) and Radon (Rn)

--Einstein gave the same test to students every year. When asked why he would do something like that, "Because the answers had changed."

 

[thdm]

Thanks for the answers!
Below some pictures of the current setup they made.

Very good point indeed that this water should first be tested prior to using it.
Issue here is that they're a very poor community living at a remote area (basically within an old volcano), so it's the only kind of water source they're having nearby(others are a day walking away).
Trying to convince them to first get the water tested and if not suitable for use stop using, it might be difficult but of course should be the first step to guarantee there are no health risks.
When I visited they were already using the system for over a year (they just found it out themselves), even drinking it.

I'll see if I can assist them to get some samples of the water tested first.
I'll keep you updated!

[URL unfurl="true"]https://res.cloudinary.com/engineering-com/image/upload/v1704874790/tips/IMG_0792_wltbnt.heic[/url]
[URL unfurl="true"]https://res.cloudinary.com/engineering-com/image/upload/v1704874805/tips/IMG_0793_iqmrts.heic[/url]

 

[thdm]

Hi all!

As a follow-up on above, I reached out to the locals and they confirmed to me that a lab test has been performed already on the water they're capturing.
Please find the analysis report in attachment. As I'm not an expert in this matter, I'm not really sure how to interpret those results.
Could someone please advise if the results show it's safe to use the water as drinking water, or only for other use/no use at all?

Many thanks!

 

[stevenal]

I think one just needs to compare the results column with the spec limit column. Manganese, nickel, total viable count, total coliform, E. Coli and straphylococcus are all high. I'm not sure how bacteria gets into steam. Perhaps the container and piping were not sterilized prior to testing.

 

[LittleInch]

Your photos are in a weird format. My phone opened them but not the laptop.

but I can't see any steam or work out what is going on.

not surprising you have ecoli etc - the pipes and receptacle look filthy and are used for animal grazing?

Anyway, PE / PVC pipe is the wrong type of pipe. Gets very soft at 100c and is quite a good insulator. You need steel to allow more cooling of the steam

A coil is quite good to save space, but will spit quite a bit unless you point it down.

~A better diagram or photo would help a lot.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[EdStainless]

The biological contamination is a source of concern.
The need to clean the system, maybe with hydrogen peroxide.
There is no real problem with using plastic for the collection system, but the heat will breakdown PVC.
It really needs to be CPVC or some other grade rated for hot water service.
Since this water is very soft and acidic it will dissolve just about whatever it comes in contact with.
If you use steel, you will get a lot of iron in the water.
Not necessarily bad but it is usually undesirable.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
P.E. Metallurgy, consulting work welcomed

 

[1503-44]

Was it tested for the above elements and nothing found? Probably not.
Geothermal water can contain some dangerous stuff.
Regular monthly testing would be better.
All water is not suitable for drinking, even if its a poor community.
Without a regular testing program, it is better to avoid use. It could easily turn into bad news.

--Einstein gave the same test to students every year. When asked why he would do something like that, "Because the answers had changed."

 

[swazimatt]

Apart from the water quality concerns already mentioned (the source of the test water should be confirmed - from steam pipe outlet or from collection tank to locate source of bacteria and ecoli) it may be worthwhile looking into thermal power station setups as they generally have to deal with steam through cooling towers, a mini version of this may be a good starting point.

 

[IRstuff]

You should also note that the water is on the acidic side, actually past the limit for pH. Nevertheless, that might all be from the collection hardware itself.

Some people can tolerate higher level of microbials in their water, so it's not necessarily a major concern unless the microbials are continually being reintroduced into the water collection system, in which case, it should be a huge concern, particularly if something new gets introduced. Someone need to clean EVERYTHING, and continually maintain the cleanliness for protecting the consumers.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

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